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

And when I was in training, I was recruited to serve in the Old Guard ceremonial unit across the river in Fort Myer, Va. That was based on a number of factors.

From Washington Post • Jan. 3, 2023

Ultimately, "The Gray Man" is as mindless as it is thrilling — not unlike the similar Netflix offerings, "Extraction" or "The Old Guard."

From Salon • Jul. 22, 2022

The figures gather inside like a collection of strangers from different worlds with little in common, united only in their solidarity against the Old Guard.

From New York Times • Jul. 6, 2022

On July 2, 1937, the Old Guard took up sentinel duty, manning around-the-clock watch that continues to this day.

From Washington Times • Nov. 9, 2021

Like the Old Guard of France, he's always around the bony parts thrown; and, like a bon vivant, is much given to whining after his dinner.

From The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers, Series 1 by Newell, R. H. (Robert Henry)