sentry-board

A sailor stands watch on the sentry-board of the ship.

Definition

Noun: A sentry-board is a raised platform or stand used as a lookout post, especially on a ship, where a sentry (a guard) stands to keep watch.

Usage Examples

• (The raised platform on the ship used by the guard.)
• (The lookout platform was secured for safety.)

Advanced Usage

• "to man the sentry-board": to take up a position on the sentry-board for guard duty.
  • The new recruit was ordered to man the sentry-board from midnight until dawn. (To stand watch on the platform.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sentry (n): a soldier or guard who keeps watch.

  • The sentry paced back and forth near the gate. (The guard on duty.)

• Sentry-box (n): a small shelter for a sentry, often a wooden or metal box.

  • The sentry-box provided some protection from the rain. (A guard's shelter.)

Synonyms

• Lookout post: a position from which a watch is kept.
• Watchtower: a tower used for observation (though often larger and more permanent than a sentry-board).
• Perch: a high or raised place for watching (informal).

Related Idioms

• "on sentry duty": performing the task of guarding or watching.
  • The sailor was on sentry duty at the sentry-board all night. (Performing guard duty from the platform.)