National Guard

American  

noun

1. state military forces, in part equipped, trained, and quartered by the U.S. government, and paid by the U.S. government, that become an active component of the army when called into federal service by the president in civil emergencies.

---

National Guard British  

noun

1. (sometimes not capitals) the armed force, first commanded by Lafayette, that was established in France in 1789 and existed intermittently until 1871

2. (in the US) a state military force that can be called into federal service by the president

---

National Guard Cultural  

1. The volunteer military forces of each state, which the governor of a state can summon in times of civil disorder or natural disaster. Through congressional and presidential order, the National Guard can be called into service in the regular United States army.

---

Example Sentences

A US federal judge on Friday threw out a series of restrictions placed by President Donald Trump's administration on legal immigration following last year's shooting of members of the National Guard by an Afghan immigrant.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said the Washington National Guard would assist with search and recovery efforts in Longview.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Today, camouflaged National Guard troops patrol Uruapan with rifles nestled, or cruise the streets in pickup trucks mounted with machine guns.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

The documents paint a thorough picture of how Marines prepared to deploy in Southern California, where they stood alongside National Guard members and agents with the Department of Homeland Security.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

At Baxter State Park in Maine, the Journal reported, one hiker called up a National Guard Unit and asked them to send a helicopter to airlift him off Mount Katahdin because he was tired.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson