guard

1 of 2

noun

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

guard

2 of 2

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

Phrases

off guard

: in an unprepared or unsuspecting state

Her angry response caught me off guard.

on guard

: defensively watchful : alert

is on guard against terrorists

Synonyms of guard

Noun

• 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

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

That schedule should give him plenty of on-court reps, which is valuable for the second-year guard drafted 55th overall out of USC in the 2024 NBA Draft. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025

The New York Knicks star guard had $185,000 in watches and a bracelet stolen in September, according to the New York Post. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025

Verb

Their team is built around All-Star-level forwards Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, and while guards Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett have been playing well, Siegel wrote that both backcourt players could be trade bait in order to bring in a legitimate star to give Barnes and Ingram more support. —Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025

The guard members have patrolled neighborhoods, train stations and other locations, participated in highway checkpoints and been assigned to pick up trash and guard sports events. —Arkansas Online, 28 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun 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

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'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
• national guard
• new guard
• old guard
• on guard against
• on one's guard
• point guard
• provost guard
• rear guard
• security guard
• shooting guard
• splash guard
• stand guard/watch
• standing/keeping guard
• 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