to keep safe from harm or danger; protect:[~ + object]The dog guarded the house when no one was home.
to keep under close watch, as in order to prevent escape:[~ + object]The police officers guarded the prisoner.
to keep under control as a matter of caution:[~ + object]to guard one's temper.
to keep secret; protect or hide:[~ + object]guarded the secrets of his business.
to provide or equip with some safeguard or protection: [~ + object]This ingredient guards your teeth against decay.[~ + against]The mouthwash guards against bad breath.
Sport[~ (+ against) + object] to position oneself in some sport so as to obstruct or impede the movement or progress of (an opponent on offense).
to provide means of protection:[~ + against]The computer program should guard against errors.
n.
[countable] a person or group that guards, as one that keeps watch over prisoners or property.
an act of guarding; a close watch:[uncountable]under armed guard.
a device, appliance, or attachment that prevents or minimizes injury, loss, etc.:[countable]a guard for a goalie in hockey.
Sport
[countable] either of the football linemen stationed between a tackle and the center, or either of the basketball players stationed in the backcourt.
[uncountable] the position played by this player:He played guard.
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.
Sportto 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.
Chessto protect (a piece or a square) by placing a piece in a supportive or defensive position relative to it.
v.i.
to take precautions (usually fol. by against):to guard against errors.
to give protection; keep watch; be watchful.
n.
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, esp. 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.
Sport[Football.]
either of the linemen stationed between a tackle and the center.
the position played by this lineman.
[Basketball.]either of the players stationed in the backcourt.
Chess, Gamesa piece that supports or defends another.
Games[Cards.]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.
British Termsa railroad conductor.
MilitaryGuards, the name of certain bodies of troops in the British army.
Idiomsoff guard, unprepared; unwary:The blow from behind caught him off guard.Also, off one's guard.
Idiomson guard, vigilant; wary:on guard against dishonest merchants.Also, on one's guard.
Idiomsstand guard over, to watch over; protect:The dog stood guard over his wounded master.
Gmc; see ward
Old French g(u)arde, noun, nominal derivative of g(u)arder (verb, verbal)
late Middle English garde guardianship 1375–1425
guard′a•ble, adj. guard′er, n. guard′less, adj. guard′like′, adj.
1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged shield, shelter, safeguard; preserve, save. See defend.
3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged hold, watch.
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: a guard against infection