garrison

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.

“Garrison” is pronounced GAR-ih-suhn (/ˈɡæɹ.ɪ.sən/ in IPA).

Here is “garrison” used in a sentence: “The fort has served as a garrison since colonial times.”

Depending on how it is used, “garrison” can be a noun and a verb.

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.".

“Garrison” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“Garrison” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a permanent military post, or the troops stationed there.

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.

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."

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.