Definition

Noun: - The duty of serving as a sentry: The responsibility of protecting a person, place, or thing by staying alert and watching for danger, typically for a scheduled period of time.

Usage

• This term is used to describe a specific assignment or task within military, security, or ceremonial contexts. It refers to the period when a person is officially responsible for acting as a guard.
• It is often used in phrases like "to be on guard duty," "to pull guard duty," or "to have guard duty."

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "to stand guard duty": To perform the duty of a guard.
  • Two officers will stand guard duty at the entrance to the embassy.
• "to be relieved from guard duty": To have one's shift as a guard ended and replaced by another person.
  • The private was relieved from guard duty at dawn.

Variants and Related Words

• Guard (noun): A person who protects or watches over something or someone.
  • The security guard checked our identification.
• Sentry duty (noun): A synonym for guard duty, emphasizing the act of being a lookout.
• Watch (noun): A period of time during which a person or group is stationed to look out for danger or trouble, often used interchangeably in some contexts (e.g., "night watch").

Synonyms

• Sentry duty
• Watch
• Sentry go (chiefly British military)

Related Phrases

• On guard: In a state of readiness or alertness to face danger or challenge.
  • The boxer was constantly on guard against his opponent's left hook.
• Mount guard: To take up one's position as a guard.
  • The soldiers mounted guard at the palace.
• Guard post: The specific place where a guard is stationed.
  • He returned to his guard post after his break.

Noun

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