home guard

American  

noun

1. a volunteer force used for meeting local emergencies when the regular armed forces are needed elsewhere.

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Home Guard British  

noun

1. a volunteer part-time military force recruited for the defence of the United Kingdom in World War II

2. (in various countries) a civil defence and reserve militia organization

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Etymology

Origin of home guard

First recorded in 1735–45

Example Sentences

Among the professional troops taking part in this exercise are members of Norway's home guard - mostly part-time soldiers.

From BBC

After independence much of it went to the home guards, as the Mau Mau continued to be considered a terrorist organisation.

From BBC

Thousands of personnel from other government security services including the home guards and the para-military Border Security Force will be brought in to maintain law and order, he said.

From Reuters

He said two of the dead were members of the home guard, a voluntary force that helps police control civil disturbances.

From Reuters

Authorities say a police official and five home guards are among those killed in the accident which took place in Chamoli district.

From BBC