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

“I’ve always been a believer in private-property rights,” said Stan Higgins, 72 years old, a retired civil-service technician with the Wyoming Army National Guard.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

A US federal judge on Friday threw out a series of restrictions placed by President Donald Trump's administration on legal immigration following last year's shooting of members of the National Guard by an Afghan immigrant.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

National Guard airfield in 1981, an FBI office in Hato Rey in 1983, and the U.S. courthouse in Old San Juan in 1985.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

The Trump administration directed 4,200 California National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines to Southern California starting June 7.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Unlike me, she had a direct emotional connection to the issue: Beau Biden, Joe’s older son, was serving in Iraq with the National Guard.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama