coastguard
Noun 1. A military or paramilitary organization: A coastguard is a national service, often with military or law-enforcement status, whose primary duties involve ensuring safety, security, and law enforcement in a country's coastal waters, territorial seas, and sometimes inland waterways. 2. A member of this organization: The term can also refer to an individual officer or sailor serving in this service.
- Referring to the organization:
- The coastguard was dispatched to rescue the sinking ship.
- All fishing vessels must report their position to the coastguard.
- Referring to an individual member:
- A coastguard boarded the vessel to conduct a safety inspection.
- She joined the coastguard to work at sea.
- "Coastguard" as an attributive noun: It is frequently used before another noun to describe things related to the service.
- We could see the coastguard cutter on the horizon.
- He works at the coastguard station.
- Coastguardsman/Coastguardswoman (n): A formal term for a member of the coastguard (though "coastguard" is commonly used for individuals as well).
- Coastal guard: A less common variant with the same meaning.
- Maritime law enforcement: Describes the legal authority function.
- Search and rescue service: Describes one of its primary safety functions.
- Naval patrol (in some contexts): May overlap in duties but typically refers to a navy's activities.
(Note: "Coastguard" itself is not typically part of idiomatic expressions. Common phrases involve its descriptive role.) - To be intercepted by the coastguard: To be stopped and boarded by the coastguard for inspection. * The smuggler's boat was intercepted by the coastguard. - Coastguard alert: A warning or state of readiness issued by the coastguard. * A coastguard alert was issued for small craft due to the storm.
- a military service responsible for the safety of maritime traffic in coastal waters