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
guarded; guarding; guards
1
: to protect an edge of with an ornamental border
2
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
: to watch by way of caution or defense : stand guard
guard against mistakes
guarder
noun
Synonyms
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
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Right guard Quinn Meinerz plays two spots inside Forsyth on the field goal unit.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024
Luke Voyles / Made By History, TIME, 21 Nov. 2024
Despite being in the middle of the pack in terms of possessions guarding the pick-and-roll (PnR) roll man, the Pacers allow the seventh-most points per game to PnR roll men on the fifth-highest points per possession.
—Matt Modi, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for guard 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Noun
Khaleel Sayyed and Walter Bowe, X’s chief guards at the time, would corroborate that statement, as they were both arrested and detained on bogus charges in the days leading up to X’s murder.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Right guard Quinn Meinerz plays two spots inside Forsyth on the field goal unit.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
Republican legislators also failed to pass a major civil rights act that could have provided federal marshals to guard polling places and protect African-American voters.
—Luke Voyles / Made By History, TIME, 21 Nov. 2024
Despite being in the middle of the pack in terms of possessions guarding the pick-and-roll (PnR) roll man, the Pacers allow the seventh-most points per game to PnR roll men on the fifth-highest points per possession.
—Matt Modi, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for guard
Articles Related to guard
Dictionary Entries Near guard
Cite this Entry
“Guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guard. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
guard
1 of 2 noun1
: 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 verb1
: 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
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