noun
Uncommon
garrison
GAR-ih-suhn
Garrison (noun) means a permanent military post, or the troops stationed there. Example: “The fort has served as a garrison since colonial times.”
noun
1
A permanent military post, or the troops stationed there.
"The fort has served as a garrison since colonial times."
"The entire garrison was put on alert overnight."
"The garrison at the old fort was small but well trained."
verb
1
To station troops in a place to defend or occupy it.
"The army garrisoned the border town after the ceasefire."
"Soldiers were sent to garrison the old castle."
"The government decided to garrison the island with two hundred soldiers."
How to use garrison
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA group of soldiers permanently based somewhere to guard it, or the act of stationing them there.
Common pairings
garrison town
military garrison
garrison a fort
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Word forms
- Plural
- garrisons
- Third person singular
- garrisons
- Past tense
- garrisoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fort has served as a _____ since colonial times.
Etymology
From Old French garison ("protection, defense"), related to the verb "warish" (to heal or protect) and ultimately to "guard" and "ward."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for garrison
See all rhymes for garrison →Frequently asked questions
What does “garrison” mean?
The word “garrison” means a permanent military post, or the troops stationed there. In plain terms, a group of soldiers permanently based somewhere to guard it, or the act of stationing them there.
How do you pronounce “garrison”?
“Garrison” is pronounced GAR-ih-suhn (/ˈɡæɹ.ɪ.sən/ in IPA).
How do you use “garrison” in a sentence?
Here is “garrison” used in a sentence: “The fort has served as a garrison since colonial times.”
What part of speech is “garrison”?
Depending on how it is used, “garrison” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “garrison” come from?
The word “garrison” comes from Old French. From Old French garison ("protection, defense"), related to the verb "warish" (to heal or protect) and ultimately to "guard" and "ward.".
Is “garrison” a common word?
“Garrison” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “garrison” have?
“Garrison” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a permanent military post, or the troops stationed there.
What is the difference between a garrison and a military base?
A garrison specifically refers to a permanent military post or the troops stationed there, often implying a defensive or occupying role in a particular location, while a military base is a broader modern term for any facility used by armed forces, which may or may not involve permanent stationed troops in the traditional sense.
How is garrison used as a verb?
As a verb, to garrison a place means to station troops there in order to defend or occupy it, as in "the army garrisoned the town after the siege."
Is garrison a term used mainly in historical or military contexts?
Garrison is used in both historical and current military contexts, frequently appearing in discussions of past wars, occupations, and fortified towns, as well as in modern descriptions of stationed troops.
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