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.

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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

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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.

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Example Sentences

Governors in several states, including Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina, have declared states of emergency, allowing emergency officials - including National Guard troops - to begin mobilising response efforts.

From BBC

Two of the Americans killed were members of the Iowa National Guard while the third U.S. fatality was a civilian interpreter.

From The Wall Street Journal

While the act suspends Posse Comitatus, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the National Guard or armed forces would involve themselves directly in law-enforcement.

From The Wall Street Journal

But he hasn’t yet used the law, instead drawing on other legal authorities to deploy the National Guard in cities such Los Angeles and Chicago.

From The Wall Street Journal

Before issuing a second restraining order barring deployments of any National Guard troops in Oregon, a frustrated Immergut laid into the Justice Department attorney defending the administration.

From Los Angeles Times