Guard (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

verb (used with object)

to keep safe from harm or danger; protect; watch over: to guard the ruler.
to keep under close watch in order to prevent escape, misconduct, etc.: to guard a prisoner.
to keep under control or restraint as a matter of caution or prudence: to guard one's temper.
to provide or equip with some safeguard or protective appliance, as to prevent loss, injury, etc.
to position oneself so as to obstruct or impede the movement or progress of (an opponent on offense): The linebacker moved to his right to guard the end going out for a pass.
to protect (a piece or a square) by placing a piece in a supportive or defensive position relative to it.

verb (used without object)

noun

a person or group of persons that guards, protects, or keeps a protective or restraining watch.
a person who keeps watch over prisoners or others under restraint.
a body of people, especially soldiers, charged with guarding a place from disturbance, theft, fire, etc.
a close watch, as over a prisoner or other person under restraint: to be kept under guard.
a device, appliance, or attachment that prevents injury, loss, etc.
something intended or serving to guard or protect; safeguard: insurance as a guard against disasters.
a posture of defense or readiness, as in fencing, boxing, or bayonet drill.
Football.

either of the players stationed in the backcourt.
a piece that supports or defends another.
a low card that is held with a high card of the same suit and that enables the holder to save the high card for a later trick.
a railroad conductor.
the name of certain bodies of troops in the British army.

Idioms

verb

to watch over or shield (a person or thing) from danger or harm; protect
to keep watch over (a prisoner or other potentially dangerous person or thing), as to prevent escape
to control
to take precautions
to control entrance and exit through (a gate, door, etc)
to provide (machinery, etc) with a device to protect the operator
(tr)

to protect or cover (a chess man or card) with another
to protect or cover (a stone or bowl) by placing one's own stone or bowl between it and another player

noun

a person or group who keeps a protecting, supervising, or restraining watch or control over people, such as prisoners, things, etc
a person or group of people, such as soldiers, who form a ceremonial escort
the official in charge of a train

Irish another word for garda
a device, part, or attachment on an object, such as a weapon or machine tool, designed to protect the user against injury, as on the hilt of a sword or the trigger of a firearm
anything that provides or is intended to provide protection

See guard ring
an article of light tough material worn to protect any of various parts of the body
basketball

the posture of defence or readiness in fencing, boxing, cricket, etc
(of a batsman) to choose a position in front of the wicket to receive the bowling, esp by requesting the umpire to indicate his position relative to the stumps
(of an umpire) to indicate such a position to a batsman
having one's defences down; unprepared
prepared to face danger, difficulties, etc
(of a military sentry, etc) to keep watch
mount guard

AllDefiNitions