outpost

noun

out·​post ˈau̇t-ˌpōst 

1

a

: a security detachment dispatched by a main body of troops to protect it from enemy surprise

b

: a military base established by treaty or agreement in another country

2

a

: an outlying or frontier settlement

b

: an outlying branch or position of a main organization or group

Examples of outpost in a Sentence

an American outpost in Africa

The city was established as a military outpost in the 1800s.

a remote outpost of the old British Empire

Recent Examples on the Web

The deli maintained an outpost at Madison Square Garden and continued to sell products through retailers nationwide after the original closed. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

The backstory This is the third London outpost from the Zetter group—following the Clerkenwell and Marylebone outposts—and the brand's first opening in a decade. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026

Unable to leave without military permission, Ridi confronts settlers who claim his yard as theirs, underscoring Palestinians’ powerlessness as violent outposts expand with scant police accountability. — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

The outpost, located near the Great Basin park entrance, sells outdoor gear, maps, books, groceries, and pieces from local artisans. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1720, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for outpost

• almost
• engrossed
• foremost
• hindmost
• impost
• inmost
• lamppost
• leftmost
• necrosed
• pancoast
• rightmost
• riposte

Kids Definition

outpost

noun

out·​post ˈau̇t-ˌpōst 

1

: a guard stationed at a distance from a military force or camp

2

: the position occupied by an outpost

3

: a settlement on a frontier or in a faraway place