guardant

1 of 2

adjective

guar·​dant ˈgär-dᵊnt How to pronounce guardant (audio)
: having the head turned toward the spectator
used of a heraldic animal whose body is seen from the side
a lion passant guardant

guardant

2 of 2

noun

obsolete

Examples of guardant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
There are the three heraldic lions passant guardant—striding, with heads turned toward the viewer—that have been included on the royal arms of England since the late twelfth century. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle French gardant, present participle of garder to guard, look at

First Known Use

Adjective

1572, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guardant was in 1572

Dictionary Entries Near guardant

Cite this Entry

“Guardant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guardant. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!