national guard

noun

1

: a military establishment serving as a national constabulary and defense force

2

capitalized : a militia force recruited by each state of the U.S., equipped by the federal government, and jointly maintained subject to the call of either

Examples of national guard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The situation was so dire late this summer that commanders in Kyiv had no choice but to send most of the national guard’s seven offensive brigades, including the Kara Dag brigade, to the front. —David Axe, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Fifteen states activated national guard units, keeping them on standby and ready to respond to potential violence from rioters and extremist groups. —Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024

Between them, the army, air assault forces, marine corps, territorials and national guard have formed scores of new brigades, each with up to 2,000 troops and hundreds of vehicles. —David Axe, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

The national guard belongs to Ukraine’s interior ministry, not the military—and normally handles internal security tasks. —David Axe, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

national guard

noun

1

capitalized : a militia force recruited by each state, equipped by the federal government, and subject to the call of either

2

: a military force serving as a national police and defense force

national guardsman noun often capitalized