guard
gahd
Guard (noun) means a person whose job is to protect a place, person, or thing. Example: “Two guards stood at the entrance to the museum.”
noun
1
A person whose job is to protect a place, person, or thing.
"Two guards stood at the entrance to the museum."
"The prison guard checked every cell before lights-out."
"A security guard walked around the car park every night to check the gates."
2
A device or piece of equipment that protects part of the body or a machine from harm.
"He wore a mouth guard during the match."
"Remember to put the guard back on the saw before you switch it off."
"Goalkeepers often wear a shin guard under their socks for protection."
3
A cautious or defensive stance, as in "on guard" or "off guard."
"The comment caught her completely off guard."
"Stay on your guard when strangers ask you for personal details online."
"The boxer dropped his guard for a moment and took a hard punch."
verb
1
To protect someone or something from danger or attack.
"Soldiers were posted to guard the border crossing."
"A good password helps guard your account against hackers."
"The dog sleeps by the door to guard the house while we are out."
How to use guard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo protect, or a person/thing whose job is protection.
Common pairings
stand guard
catch someone off guard
guard against
security guard
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Word forms
- Plural
- guards
- Third person singular
- guards
- Past tense
- guarded
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Two _____ stood at the entrance to the museum.
Etymology
From Old French guarder, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to watch over" — a doublet of "garda" (as in "Garda," Ireland's police force).
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for guard
See all rhymes for guard →Frequently asked questions
What does “guard” mean?
The word “guard” means a person whose job is to protect a place, person, or thing. In plain terms, to protect, or a person/thing whose job is protection.
How do you pronounce “guard”?
“Guard” is pronounced gahd (/ɡɑɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “guard” in a sentence?
Here is “guard” used in a sentence: “Two guards stood at the entrance to the museum.”
What part of speech is “guard”?
Depending on how it is used, “guard” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “guard” come from?
The word “guard” comes from Old French. From Old French guarder, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to watch over" — a doublet of "garda" (as in "Garda," Ireland's police force).
Is “guard” a common word?
“Guard” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “guard” have?
“Guard” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person whose job is to protect a place, person, or thing.
What is the difference between a 'guard' and a 'guardian'?
A guard protects a place, person, or object, usually as a job — think of a security guard or a prison guard watching over premises. A guardian is legally responsible for someone else's welfare, most often a child or a dependent adult. A guard watches; a guardian is entrusted with care.
What are the types of guard?
Common kinds include the security guard who watches buildings, the bodyguard who protects a person, the prison guard who oversees inmates, and the lifeguard who watches swimmers. The word also names ceremonial roles, such as a palace guard, and border or crossing guards who control who passes.
What is an example of a guard?
A security guard stationed at the entrance of a bank or shopping mall is a familiar example. Their job is to deter theft, monitor who comes and goes, and respond if something goes wrong — exactly the protective role the word describes.
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