American Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition guard in American English

guard noun

noun
/ɡɑrd/
1

someone whose job is to protect a place or person so that no one causes damage, steals anything, or escapes

Example

a prison guard

Example

The captain posted two guards at the gate.

Example

There was an armed guard on duty outside his door.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

a group of guards who are working together

Example

The guard was due to be relieved at six o'clock.

Synonyms and related words
2

a unit of soldiers or police officers, especially one that has a particular job

Example

members of the Presidential guard

Example

troops belonging to the National Guard

2.1

used in the names of some units in an army, especially the British army

Example

a captain in the Scots Guards

Synonyms and related words
2.2

an officer in the Irish police force

Synonyms and related words
3

something that covers a dangerous part of a machine

Synonyms and related words
3.1

something that you wear to protect a part of your body, for example when playing a sport

Example

a mouth guard

Synonyms and related words
3.2

the way that boxers stand with their hands in front of their face, to protect themselves from an opponent

Example

They put their guards up and began circling each other.

Synonyms and related words
4

in basketball, one of two players who are responsible for moving the ball around the court in order to create opportunities for their team to score

Synonyms and related words
4.1

in football, a player who plays next to the center

Synonyms and related words
Synonyms and related words
6

to be extra careful to prevent something bad from happening

Example

As there are no regulations for coachsurfing, coachsurfers must be on their guard.

Definition guard in American English