a person whose job is to watch and protect people or property so that nothing harmful happens
The museum guard politely asked us not to touch the paintings.
A female palace guard in a ceremonial red coat stands at the castle gate, holding a polished spear while tourists snap photos nearby.
✦ From Old French ‘garder’ meaning ‘to watch, to keep’; related to the Old High German ‘wartēn’, ‘to watch’.
to watch and protect someone or something against danger or attack
Police officers guard the entrance during the parade.
Parents try to guard their children from online dangers.
a device or cover that protects something from damage or injury
The hockey player removed his mouth guard after the match.
Install a safety guard over the saw blade before turning it on.
in sports, especially basketball or American football, a player whose main role is to handle the ball and protect or block for teammates
The star point guard dribbled past two defenders and scored.
Our team needs another shooting guard who can hit three-pointers.
in sports, to stay very close to an opposing player in order to stop them from scoring or receiving the ball
It's your job to guard their best shooter, so stay close.
She guarded the striker tightly and blocked every shot.
someone whose job or duty is to protect or watch over a person, place, or thing
The night watchman acted as a guardian of the museum after closing time.
A loyal dog can be a faithful guardian of a family home.
✦ Late Middle English from Anglo-French gardien, from Old French guarder “to guard” +-ian suffix.
a person who has the legal authority and responsibility to care for a child when the child’s parents cannot
After the accident, her aunt became her legal guardian.
A guardian must sign the school permission slip for the trip.
