outpost

noun

out·​post ˈau̇t-ˌpōst 

1

a

: a security detachment dispatched by a main body of troops to protect it from enemy surprise

b

: a military base established by treaty or agreement in another country

2

a

: an outlying or frontier settlement

b

: an outlying branch or position of a main organization or group

Examples of outpost in a Sentence

an American outpost in Africa

The city was established as a military outpost in the 1800s.

a remote outpost of the old British Empire

Recent Examples on the Web

His most recent exhibition closed at Peter Freeman Inc.’s New York outpost in January. —News Desk, Artforum, 18 Feb. 2025

Season 3 of Mike White’s anthology series, which premieres on Sunday, follows a motley crew of vacationers at a Southeast Asian outpost of the titular hotel. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025

Its exceptional range and unparalleled accuracy allow for effective engagement of enemy outposts, battle zones, and rear areas. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025

The reception from their private showrooms encouraged the designers to embark on their own retail outposts. —Layla Ilchi, WWD, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1720, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

outpost

noun

out·​post ˈau̇t-ˌpōst 

1

: a guard stationed at a distance from a military force or camp

2

: the position occupied by an outpost

3

: a settlement on a frontier or in a faraway place