Coast Guard

American  

noun

1. U.S. Military. a military service under the Department of Transportation, which in peacetime enforces maritime laws, saves lives and property at sea, and maintains aids to navigation, and which in wartime may be placed under the Navy Department to augment the navy.

2. (lowercase) any similar organization for aiding navigation, preventing smuggling, etc.

3. Also called coastguardsman.  (lowercase) a member of any such organization.

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Etymology

Origin of Coast Guard

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

The 10 passengers still unaccounted for include the ferry's captain, eight crew members and a safety marshall, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Ronnie Gavan said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

From Barron's

The coast guard's Gavan said that ongoing search-and-rescue efforts remained the immediate priority.

From Barron's

There are others that even true band buffs have never heard of, like the excellent Curtis Bay Coast Guard Training Station Dance Band, which lasted for just a few months during the war but featured several future jazz legends, most importantly trombonist Kai Winding.

From The Wall Street Journal

Survivor Aquino Sajili told AFP he called a lawyer friend as he stood against the railing of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, saying he expected it to sink and asking him to alert the Philippine Coast Guard.

From Barron's

The coast guard's response time had been "unacceptable", he said.

From Barron's