guard

Noun

• a position on a basketball team

• (American football) a position on the line of scrimmage
  • guards must be good blockers
    

• the duty of serving as a sentry
  • he was on guard that night
    

• a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
  • he put an ice pack on the injury as a precaution
    
  • an insurance policy is a good safeguard
    
  • we let our guard down
    

• a military unit serving to protect some place or person

• the person who plays the position of guard on a basketball team

• a posture of defence in boxing or fencing
  • keep your guard up
    

• a device designed to prevent injury or accidents

• the person who plays that position on a football team
  • the left guard was injured on the play
    

• a person who keeps watch over something or someone

Verb

• take precautions in order to avoid some unwanted consequence
  • guard against becoming too friendly with the staff
    
  • guard against infection
    

• protect against a challenge or attack
  • Hold that position behind the trees!
    
  • Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks
    

• watch over or shield from danger or harm; protect
  • guard my possessions while I'm away
    

• to keep watch over
  • there would be men guarding the horses
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  guard duty , sentry duty , sentry go , precaution , safeguard , safety , safety device , defend , hold , ward