Guard
/ɡɑːrd/
Definitions
3 meaningsA person or thing that protects or keeps watch.
/ɡɑːrd/
The museum had a security guard to protect the artifacts.
💡 Simply: A guard is like a superhero who protects something important, like a building or a person. They watch out for danger and keep things safe.
👶 For kids: A guard is someone who helps keep things safe. Like, a guard at the zoo watches the animals!
More Examples
The border patrol sent extra guards to the frontier.
A guard was stationed outside the president's office.
How It's Used
"The guard stood at the entrance to the castle."
"A security guard patrolled the building at night."
To protect someone or something from attack or harm.
/ɡɑːrd/
Soldiers guarded the city gates.
💡 Simply: To guard means to keep something safe. Imagine you're guarding your favorite toy so nobody else can take it.
👶 For kids: To guard means to protect! Like, putting your hand up to guard your face from a ball.
More Examples
The dog guarded the house from intruders.
She guarded her secrets carefully.
How It's Used
"The police guarded the entrance to the crime scene."
"The player guarded the ball closely."
A position or posture of defense.
/ɡɑːrd/
The boxer took a low guard.
💡 Simply: A guard can also mean the way you position yourself to protect yourself. Imagine a boxer keeping their hands up to protect their face.
👶 For kids: When you guard, you're putting your body in a special position to keep safe. Like, holding your hands up to protect yourself.
More Examples
The fencer's guard was impeccable.
She kept her emotions behind a tough guard.
How It's Used
"The boxer took a defensive guard."
"The fencer adopted an attacking guard."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
on (one's) guard
Being alert to possible danger or attack; watchful.
"After the break-in, everyone was on their guard."
off (one's) guard
Unprepared; taken by surprise.
"The sudden question caught him off guard."
From Old French *garde*, from the verb *garder* ('to watch over, protect'), of Germanic origin, related to Old English *weardian* ('to guard').
The word 'guard' has been used in a protective sense since the 13th century, with its military and security applications evolving over time.
Memory tip
Think of a security guard protecting a bank.