Rearguard definition

rirgärd
Of or relating to resistance against something, as prevailing opinion or the action of a dominant political force, regarded as unlikely to be overcome or avoided.
adjective
0
0
(military) The rearmost part of a force, especially a detachment of troops that protect the rear of a retreating force.
noun
0
0
(soccer) The defence, collectively the defenders.
noun
0
0
Advertisement

Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
rearguard
Plural:
rearguards

Origin of rearguard

  • rear +‎ guard. Attested in The Song of Roland circa 1150 (rereguarde)

    From Wiktionary

Rearguard Sentence Examples

  • Promoted Ferik (lieutenant-general) for this feat, he continued to command Suleiman's rearguard with distinction.

  • The troops arrived late at their appointed positions, and after a stubborn rearguard action at Pultusk itself and undecisive fighting elsewhere (Soldau-Golymin) the Russians succeeded in retreating beyond the jaws of the French attack, and Napoleon for the first time found that he had exceeded the limit of endurance of his men.

  • Soult and Murat attacked his rearguard on the 3rd, and learning from his Cossacks that the French corps were being directed so as to swing round and enclose him, he withdrew by a night march and ultimately succeeded in getting his whole army, with the exception of von Lestocq's Prussians, together in the strong position along the Alle, the centre of which is marked by Preussisch-Eylau.

  • The opportunity for this concentration he owed to the time gained for him by his rearguard at Joukendorf, for this had stood just long enough to induce the French columns to swing in to surround him, and the next day was thus lost to the emperor as his corps had to extend again to their manoeuvring intervals.

  • Thus covered by his rearguard Hiller gained space and time to pass his troops over to the north bank of the Danube and remove all boats on the river.

More sentences

Related articles

Words near rearguard in the Dictionary