garrison

¹ American  

[gar-uh-suhn] / ˈgær ə sən /

noun

1. a body of troops stationed in a fortified place.

2. the place where such troops are stationed.

3. any military post, especially a permanent one.

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verb (used with object)

1. to provide (a fort, town, etc.) with a garrison.

2. to occupy (a fort, post, station, etc.) with troops.

3. to put (troops) on duty in a fort, post, station, etc.

Garrison ² American  

[gar-uh-suhn] / ˈgær ə sən /

noun

1. William Lloyd, 1805–79, U.S. leader in the abolition movement.

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garrison British  

/ ˈɡærɪsən /

noun

1. the troops who maintain and guard a base or fortified place

2. 1. the place itself

   2. ( as modifier )

      a garrison town

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verb

1. (tr) to station (troops) in (a fort)

Other Word Forms

• overgarrison verb (used with object)
• regarrison verb (used with object)
• ungarrisoned adjective

Etymology

Origin of garrison

1250–1300; Middle English garisoun protection, stronghold < Old French garison, gareison defense, provision, derivative of garir, guerir to defend < Germanic; compare Old High German warjan

Explanation

A garrison most often refers to a military outpost where troops are stationed to provide protection to an area. The word garrison is also used to refer to the troops stationed there. Garrison is from the Old French verb garir, meaning "defend, protect" is of Germanic origin, so you can see where the noun garrison gets its sense of a stronghold of defense. A great example is Hadrian's Wall, completed in 128 A.D. by the Roman emperor Hadrian. The wall was built across Scotland to protect settlements to the south from invaders, and it was dotted with around two dozen forts that could each hold a garrison of 500 soldiers.

Example Sentences

Foreign diplomats and dignitaries have long seen a meeting with the military chief in the garrison city of Rawalpindi near the capital to be a key item on their schedules.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

The garrison at Al Tanf sits in southern Syria along the highway between Baghdad and Damascus.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

Since then, heavy police patrols near the disposal facility have turned Tarapur and surrounding areas into a virtual garrison.

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2025

The Mexican Attorney General's Office has been tasked with investigating whether local officials had been complicit in the construction of the tunnel, General Jose Lemus, commander of Ciudad Juarez's military garrison, told Mexican media.

From BBC • Jan. 19, 2025

Catelyn listened to girlish laughter, and the excited chatter of the green boys her brother had left her for a garrison.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• command post
• encampment
• fortress
• stronghold