outpost

American  

[out-pohst] / ˈaʊtˌpoʊst /

noun

• outposts
  plural

1. a station established at a distance from the main body of an army to protect it from surprise attack.

   We keep only a small garrison of men at our desert outposts.

2. the body of troops stationed there; detachment or perimeter guard.

3. an outlying settlement, installation, position, etc.

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outpost British  

/ ˈaʊtˌpəʊst /

noun

1. military

   1. a position stationed at a distance from the area occupied by a major formation

   2. the troops assigned to such a position

2. an outlying settlement or position

3. a limit or frontier

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• outposts
  plural

Etymology

Origin of outpost

First recorded in 1750–60; out- + post ²

Explanation

An outpost is a camp or station that's somewhat isolated. A military outpost acts as a guard or defense against an enemy's attack on the larger military force. Whenever a small group of people sets up a camp at a distance from the main, larger organization (whether it's military or not), you can call their settlement an outpost. Explorers in the early days of the US set up outposts throughout the West, and many countries establish outposts near their borders with hostile neighbors — encampments for keeping an eye on them. The first written use of outpost is usually ascribed to George Washington.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

outpost outposts

Re-Oak California has an eighth nursery planned for Irvine, its first outpost in Orange County.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

We drove past an undeveloped beach—no facilities, just a handful of people taking a dip—and up to a viewpoint where there was a military outpost containing one soldier and his dog.

From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2026

One Palestinian living within sight of Havat Gilad told me she watched the outpost from her window constantly, for signs of an imminent settler attack.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

Madrid had rushed security personnel and equipment to the North African outpost that it has run for centuries.

From Barron's ● Aug. 1, 2026

I wonder if we can get help at the next outpost.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

Yehuda Cohen Tzedek, a 29-year-old former Hilltop Youth, demonstrated how people at outposts use nail guns to call for help from others nearby.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

He joined other hilltop boys, finding purpose over the years living at outposts and acting as a self-appointed protector of the land.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

The Israeli military said on Thursday it had sent forces to the area a second time, overnight, and dismantled two outposts, detaining one Israeli.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

"Since they will be limited by the few resources they brought from Earth, anything they find on the moon will help them basically live off the land, especially for longer-term missions or outposts."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 3, 2026

Particularly important, the Teotihuacan-backed dynasty took over several outposts on the Usumacinta River system, Yucatan’s most important trade route.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• frontier
• settlement
• station