Dictionary

rear guard

noun \-ˈgärd, -ˌgärd\

: a group of soldiers who are placed at the back of an army and who protect the army from being attacked from behind

Full Definition of REAR GUARD

:  a military detachment detailed to bring up and protect the rear of a main body or force
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of REAR GUARD

Middle French reregarde, from Old French, from rere + garde guard
First Known Use: 1659

Browse

3 ENTRIES FOUND:
Next Word in the Dictionary: rearguard actionPrevious Word in the Dictionary: rearguardAll Words Near: rear guard
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears