guard

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈgärd 

1

: one assigned to watch someone or something to provide security or prevent escape

a prison guard

the palace guard

: such as

a

: a person or a body of persons on sentinel duty

Guards were posted around the camp.

b

guards plural : troops assigned to protect a monarch

2

a

: a defensive state or attitude

asked him out when his guard was down

Police officers were standing/keeping guard.

b

: a defensive position (as in boxing)

3

a

: the act or duty of protecting or defending

b

: the state of being protected : protection

4

: an agency, practice, or device providing protection or safety

Clean the wound as a guard against infection.

specifically : a device for protecting a machine part or the operator of a machine

5

archaic : precaution

6

a

: a position or player next to the center in a football line

b

: a player stationed in the backcourt in basketball

7

British : conductor sense b

see also:

off guard on guard

guard

2 of 3

verb

guarded; guarding; guards

transitive verb

1

a

: to protect from danger especially by watchful attention : make secure

police guarding our cities

b

: to stand at the entrance of as if on guard or as a barrier

c

: to tend to carefully : preserve, protect

guarded their privacy

2

archaic : escort

3

a

: to watch over so as to prevent escape, disclosure, or indiscretion

guarded the prisoners.

b

: to attempt to prevent (an opponent) from playing effectively or scoring

4

: to protect an edge of with an ornamental border

intransitive verb

: to watch by way of caution or defense : stand guard

guard against mistakes

guarder noun

guarder

3 of 3

noun (2)

guard·​er

ˈgärdər, 

ˈgȧdə(r

plural -s

: one that guards : watchman, warder, guard

Synonyms of guard

Noun (1)

• guardian
• custodian
• warden
• keeper
• sentinel
• bodyguard
• patrol
• sentry
• picket

Verb

• protect
• defend
• safeguard
• shield

Choose the Right Synonym for guard

defend, protect, shield, guard, safeguard mean to keep secure from danger or against attack.

defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

Examples of guard in a Sentence

Noun (1)

There were dozens of police officers standing guard along the parade route.

Tourists gather every day to watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

The guard must be in place before operating the meat slicer.

Verb

Two policemen were assigned to guard the prisoner.

A tank guarded the bridge from enemy attack.

A police officer was stationed outside to guard the door.

They jealously guard their secrets.

Her whereabouts are a tightly guarded secret.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

New England Patriots guard Joe Andruzzi had three brothers, all New York City firefighters, who — like so many of their brave counterparts — rushed to the World Trade Center in an attempt to save lives after the towers were struck. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

At the center of the story is Rashid, a prison guard who has been suspended from his job after being accused of corruption. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said Benson has been leaning on such KC veterans as center Creed Humphrey and guard Trey Smith. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

Homeowners on the Venetian Islands already pay for private Flock cameras to help guard their neighborhoods. — Bri Buckley, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English garde, from Anglo-French garde, guarde, warde, from garder, guarder, warder, to guard, defend, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wartēn to watch, take care — more at ward

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1500, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Phrases Containing guard

• cattle guard
• coast guard
• color guard
• corporal's guard
• crossing guard
• guard against
• guard cell
• guard dog
• guard hair
• guard of honor
• guard rail
• guard's van
• have/keep one's guard up
• honor guard
• let down one's guard
• let one's guard down
• master chief petty officer of the coast guard
• mouth guard
• national guard
• new guard
• night guard
• off guard
• old guard
• on guard
• on guard against
• on one's guard
• point guard
• provost guard
• rear guard
• security guard
• shooting guard
• splash guard
• stand guard/watch
• the old guard
• under guard
• yeoman of the guard

Rhymes for guard

• bard
• barred
• card
• chard
• charred
• hard
• jarred
• lard
• marred
• nard
• scarred
• shard

Kids Definition

guard

1 of 2 noun

ˈgärd 

1

: an attitude or state of defense

asked dad for money when his guard was down

2

: the act or duty of protecting or defending

3

a

: a person who guards or a group of persons who guard

b

plural : a body of troops whose duties include guarding a head of state

4

a

: a football player who lines up next to the center

b

: either of two players stationed usually away from the basket in basketball

5

: a protective or safety device (as on a machine)

guard

2 of 2 verb

1

: to protect from danger : defend

2

: to watch over so as to restrict, control, or check

guard a prisoner

a closely guarded secret

guard one's tongue

3

: to try to keep (an opponent) from scoring

4

: to be on guard : take precautions

guard against infection