Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A United States military service and federal agency: The U.S. Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and a law enforcement agency. Its primary missions include maritime safety, security, and stewardship. It is responsible for patrolling the nation's coasts, facilitating safe and legal maritime commerce, conducting search and rescue operations, and enforcing maritime law.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The U.S. Coast Guard rescued the sailors from the sinking vessel.
  • All commercial ships must comply with regulations enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard.
  • He served for five years in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Advanced Usage

• "Coast Guard" as a standalone term: In a U.S. context, "Coast Guard" is often used alone to refer to the U.S. Coast Guard, with the "U.S." being implied.
  • She received a citation from the Coast Guard for her assistance during the storm.

Variants and Related Words

• Coastguardsman / Coast Guardswoman (n): A member of the U.S. Coast Guard.
  • The coastguardsman inspected the ship's safety equipment.
• Coast Guard Auxiliary (n): A volunteer, non-military organization that supports the U.S. Coast Guard in many missions.
  • He teaches boating safety courses as a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Synonyms

• Maritime law enforcement agency: An organization with authority over laws at sea.
• Search and rescue service: An organization dedicated to finding and aiding people in distress.

Related Phrases

• To be in the Coast Guard: To serve as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard.
  • Her brother is in the Coast Guard.
• Coast Guard station: A base or facility from which the U.S. Coast Guard operates.
  • The distress call was received by the Coast Guard station in Miami.

Noun

1. an agency of the Department of Transportation responsible for patrolling shores and facilitating nautical commerce