guard
noun
Definitions of guard noun
protection
- B1Countable
A person or group of people responsible for protecting a person, place, or thing from danger or attack, or preventing a person, such as a criminal, from escaping.
correctional officers
building guards
Guards were stationed at each entrance of the exhibition.
transport
- Countable
A railway employee who is responsible for the train's operation and passenger safety.
device
- Countable
A device designed to protect a dangerous component or to prevent damage to an object.
a fireplace guard
a trigger guard
This hard hat features a protective face guard.
Phrases of guard noun
- be under guard
To be kept in a location under the supervision of armed individuals.
• The political prisoner was under close guard during the trial.
- stand/keep guard
To be responsible for protecting someone or something, or to prevent someone from escaping; to be on duty to protect.
• Two soldiers were keeping guard over the captured weapons.
- changing of the guard
A ceremonial procedure where a group of soldiers replaces another group of soldiers who have completed their duty, typically at a significant public building such as a palace.
• The band played the national anthem during the changing of the guard ceremony.
verb
Definitions of guard verb
protect
- B2Transitive
To protect someone or something from being attacked or stolen.
Soldiers guard vital buildings in the city.
The police have increased patrols to guard the community from crime.
The preservation of this ancient artifact is heavily guarded to prevent theft.
monitor
- B2Transitive
To watch someone to prevent them from escaping a place.
Two officers were assigned to guard the suspect.
Prison wardens closely guard inmates to prevent escapes.
Security guards the entrances to ensure that no unauthorized personnel pass through.
conceal
- Transitive
To keep information secret.
The company carefully guards its proprietary technology.
Politicians cautiously guard their campaign strategies.
She always guards secrets and never reveals confidential information.
Idioms
- drop/lower your guard
To cease being cautious or watchful to avoid potential danger or difficulty; to relax one's vigilance.
• After confirming that everything was safe, they dropped their guard and began to enjoy their picnic.
- be on (your) guard
To be vigilant and cautious in order to avoid being deceived or placed in a dangerous situation.
• You must be on your guard when talking to strangers.
- catch someone off guard
To surprise someone by doing something unexpectedly, leaving them unprepared.
• The journalist's sudden question caught the politician off guard.
Phrasal Verbs of guard
- guard against something
to take preventive measures to avert a potential event or situation from occurring
• To guard against infections, the doctor recommends getting a flu shot every year.