sentinel
Sentinel (noun) means a person or animal that stands guard or keeps watch. Example: “A lone sentinel stood at the castle gate all night.”
How to use sentinel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone or something that stands watch or gives early warning.
Sentinel and sentry overlap heavily; sentinel sounds slightly more formal or symbolic (a lone sentinel of the old order), while sentry is the everyday word for a guard on duty.
Word forms
sentineled past tense, sentinelled past tense, sentinels plural, sentinels singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A lone _____ stood at the castle gate all night.
Etymology
First recorded in the 1570s, from Middle French sentinelle, ultimately from Italian sentire, "to perceive or watch," from Latin sentiō, "to feel."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sentinel” mean?
The word “sentinel” means a person or animal that stands guard or keeps watch. In plain terms, someone or something that stands watch or gives early warning.
How do you pronounce “sentinel”?
“Sentinel” is pronounced SEHN-tih-nuhl (/ˈsɛn.tɪ.nəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “sentinel” in a sentence?
Here is “sentinel” used in a sentence: “A lone sentinel stood at the castle gate all night.”
What part of speech is “sentinel”?
“Sentinel” is a noun.
Where does the word “sentinel” come from?
The word “sentinel” dates back to around 1570 and comes from Latin. First recorded in the 1570s, from Middle French sentinelle, ultimately from Italian sentire, "to perceive or watch," from Latin sentiō, "to feel.".
Is “sentinel” a common word?
“Sentinel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sentinel” have?
“Sentinel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person or animal that stands guard or keeps watch.