Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

rearguard

adjective
rear·​guard | \ ˈrir-ˌgärd How to pronounce rearguard (audio) \

Definition of rearguard

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: of or relating to resistance especially to sweeping social forces fought a rearguard action against automation

rear guard

noun
\ ˈrir-ˈgärd How to pronounce rear guard (audio) , -ˌgärd\

Definition of rear guard (Entry 2 of 2)

: a military detachment detailed to bring up and protect the rear of a main body or force
Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about rearguard

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

As a noun, rearguard refers to the soldiers that are stationed at the rear of a body to protect it from attack especially during retreat. (The troops at the front are called the vanguard.) A rearguard action, then, is the defensive or delaying fight waged as resistance against the encroaching enemy. It is through figurative extension that the phrase rearguard action, and consequently rearguard as an adjective, has become applied to other means of indirect resistance, often by a small force against a more powerful one.

Examples of rearguard in a Sentence

Adjective

 The army fought a courageous rearguard action.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 The company has been fighting something of a rearguard action against the outcry over its polices, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg appearing in front of Congress earlier this month. — Bloomberg.com, "Five Things You Need to Know to Start Your Day," 25 Apr. 2018 Indeed, Justice Clarence Thomas continues to fight a rearguard action against the clause as applied to the states. — Garrett Epps, The Atlantic, "The Generational Significance of the Travel Ban Cases," 9 July 2017 The rearguard action was led by the 31-year-old Miller, who has exercised outside influence over the summit's response to the worst refugee crisis since World War II. — chicagotribune.com, "Trump adviser Stephen Miller blocked G7 migration proposal," 26 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rearguard.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of rearguard

Adjective

1898, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1659, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for rearguard

Noun

Middle French reregarde, from Old French, from rere + garde guard

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for rearguard

rearguard

adjective
How to pronounce rear guard (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of rearguard

: fought or conducted by a group of soldiers at the rear of an army especially during a retreat

See the full definition for rearguard in the English Language Learners Dictionary

WORD OF THE DAY

cataract

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!