Old Guard

American  

noun

1. the imperial guard created in 1804 by Napoleon: it made the last French charge at Waterloo.

2. (in the U.S.) the conservative element of any political party, especially the Republican Party.

3. (usually lowercase) the influential, established, more conservative members of any body, group, movement, etc..

   the old guard of New York society.

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old guard ¹ British  

noun

1. a group that works for a long-established or old-fashioned cause or principle

2. the conservative element in a political party or other group

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Old Guard ² British  

noun

1. the French imperial guard created by Napoleon in 1804

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Etymology

Origin of Old Guard

Translation of French Vieille Garde

Example Sentences

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party said Friday morning that it had won the majority of seats in parliament and would form the next government, a result that political experts said represented a desire for stability after months of political turmoil, even if it meant voting for the old guard.

From The Wall Street Journal

But more fundamentally, "you can barely make ends meet" as a swordsmith today, with prices kept low by disdain for newly crafted swords among the industry old guard and collectors, 66-year-old Tsubouchi said.

From Barron's

The NBA announced the rosters for the U.S. vs. the World format with the 10 starters, 14 reserves and Leonard split onto three squads: Team USA Stars featuring younger players, Team USA Stripes with the old guard and Team World with foreign players.

From Los Angeles Times

He's from a non-political background and seems prepared to take on all-comers no matter how unpopular that might make him with the party's old guard.

From BBC

It shows the old guard of the Academy still appreciates traditional, well-made films that can simply be enjoyed with a bucket of popcorn.

From BBC