household troops

American  

plural noun

1. troops guarding or attending a sovereign or a sovereign's residence.

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household troops British  

plural noun

1. the infantry and cavalry regiments that carry out escort and guard duties for a head of state

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Etymology

Origin of household troops

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

household troops

In a recent book called Twentieth Century Socialism, the "household troops" made some startling admissions.

From Time Magazine Archive

In addition, the men from Stegea wore plumes that showed they were the "household troops" of Umzulek.

From Adventures in Swaziland The Story of a South African Boer by O'Neil, Owen Rowe

The British guards and household troops that are armed, trained and organized as part of the army are the Household Cavalry and the Foot Guards.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 6 "Groups, Theory of" to "Gwyniad" by Various

He had begun life as an officer in the French household troops in absolute boyhood.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 55, No. 339, January, 1844 by Various

At this critical moment the stranger opened the door of the kitchen, and beheld the Dame advancing at the head of her household troops.

From St. Ronan's Well by Scott, Walter, Sir