garrison

noun

gar·ri·son | \ ˈger-ə-sən

, ˈga-rə-\

Definition of garrison

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a military post especially : a permanent military installation

2 : the troops stationed at a garrison

garrison

verb

garrisoned; garrisoning\ ˈger-ə-s(ə-)niŋ

, ˈga-rə- \

Definition of garrison (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to station troops in

2a : to assign as a garrison

b : to occupy with troops

Garrison

biographical name

Gar·ri·son | \ ˈger-ə-sən

, ˈga-rə-sən\

Definition of Garrison (Entry 3 of 3)

William Lloyd 1805–1879 American abolitionist

Examples of garrison in a Sentence

Noun

a garrison of 5,000 men

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The main evening news broadcast carried video of the flag-raising ceremony, along with parts of Lam’s address and shots of Hong Kong residents praising displays put on by the People’s Liberation Army garrison in the territory. — Washington Post, "Protesters in Hong Kong break into legislature, paint logos," 1 July 2019 The main evening news broadcast carried video of the flag-raising ceremony, along with parts of Lam’s address and shots of Hong Kong residents praising displays put on by the People’s Liberation Army garrison in the territory. — Ken Moritsugo, SFChronicle.com, "Hong Kong protesters target legislature in violent display of rage," 1 July 2019 The main evening news broadcast carried video of the flag-raising ceremony, along with parts of Lam's address and shots of Hong Kong residents praising displays put on by the People's Liberation Army garrison in the territory. — Ken Moritsugu, Anchorage Daily News, "Hong Kong police clear protesters who occupied legislative building on handover anniversary," 1 July 2019 Per the History Blog, Russian soldiers burned the building following the Ottoman garrison’s surrender, preventing their conquered enemy from ever using the stronghold again. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Trove of Cannonballs Likely Used by Vlad the Impaler Found in Bulgaria," 19 June 2019 They are also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan, but have been occupied by China since 1974, when Chinese troops ousted a South Vietnamese garrison. — Brad Lendon, CNN, "South China Sea: Satellite image shows Chinese fighter jets deployed to contested island," 20 June 2019 The name Beating the Retreat dates back to the 16th century and refers to a drum call that was used to recall units to their garrison. — PEOPLE.com, "Kate Middleton Steps Out to Honor Troops as She Takes the Salute at Spectacular Military Parade," 6 June 2019 Late Tuesday, Taliban fighters attacked a police garrison on the outskirts of the northern city of Baghlan, triggering hours of fighting that left 37 officers dead. — Ehsanullah Amiri, WSJ, "Spate of Deadly Violence Darkens Peace Prospects in Afghanistan," 15 Aug. 2018 Troops in several garrisons have mutinied and tried to break into armouries to grab weapons to fight the RSF. — The Economist, "Pro-democracy protesters are slaughtered in Khartoum," 6 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The Syrian troops garrisoned there were well-equipped and dug in. — The Economist, "Bashar al-Assad’s ruinous campaign to retake Idlib from Syrian rebels," 6 June 2019 A few days later, past midnight, a dozen outgunned American ships, including Juneau, intercepted a Japanese armada approaching the island to bombard its critical airfield and the beleaguered U.S. Marines garrisoned there. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "The House is revolting," 25 May 2018 Brennan’s version of Moscow is Vershinin (a charismatic Chiké Johnson), commander of the troops garrisoned in town and quixotic seeker – in a play filled with them, each one given texture by Brown’s excellent ensemble – for the meaning of existence. — Mike Fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Three Sisters' yearn for a better life, against the odds," 14 Aug. 2017 A fortress built between the 11th and 14th century helped the friars withstand pirates, Saracen attacks and occupation by Spanish raiders, until Louis XIV garrisoned the island in the 1600s. — Jennifer Ladonne, CNN, "Cannes day trips: The island retreats of Îles de Lérins," 24 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'garrison.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for garrison

Noun

Middle English garisoun "wealth, gift, tribute, protection, fortified place, body of soldiers," borrowed from Anglo-French garisun "protection, cure, income, supplies," from garir "to support, protect, cure" (going back to Old Low Franconian *warjan "to defend, prevent," going back to Germanic *warjan-) + -isun, deverbal noun suffix, going back to Latin -ītiōn-, -ītiō, from -ī-, verb stem formative + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at weir

Note: The Middle English sense "fortified place, body of soldiers" reflects confusion with Middle English garnisoun and Anglo-French garnisun "fortified place, body of armed men stationed in such a place," from Anglo-French garnir "to give notice, equip, arm, fortify" (see garnish entry 1) + the same suffix seen in garisun.

Verb

derivative of garrison entry 1

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