1
: one assigned to protect or oversee another: such as
a
: a person or a body of persons on sentinel duty
Guards were posted around the camp.
b
guards plural : troops attached to the person of the sovereign
c
British : conductor sense b
2
a
: a defensive state or attitude
asked him out when his guard was down
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
: a protective or safety device
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

guard

2 of 2

verb

guarded; guarding; guards

transitive verb

1
: to protect an edge of with an ornamental border
2
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
3
archaic : escort
4
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

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
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.
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
Colby has been a guard only in college but has experience on both the left and right sides. Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025 Three other prison guards, including Michael Mashaw, Michael Fisher and David Walters, were charged with lesser manslaughter offenses. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
Even those who survive are now inclined to guard their cash zealously, limiting their purchases of coffee. Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025 However, members of the Texas National Guard, who have been federally deputized, could be involved guarding detainees. Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for guard 

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 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of guard was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near guard

Cite this Entry

“Guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guard. Accessed 25 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

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

More from Merriam-Webster on guard

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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