outpost

American  

[out-pohst] / ˈaʊtˌpoʊst /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of outpost

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

Example Sentences

"Every day the settlers establish new outposts. We are not safe from them at all."

From Barron's

Last year JPMorgan Chase, America’s biggest bank, expanded its Dubai outpost, relocating bankers from London.

From The Wall Street Journal

Anna Kwok of the Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, another bountied dissident, has warned that Beijing can use these diplomatic outposts to carry out transnational repression in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

The rocky outpost about 15 miles off Iran’s coast hosts the country’s main crude export terminal and is responsible for the overwhelming majority of its oil shipments to the world.

From Barron's

All the women and the old men came out and followed us to the outpost store.

From Literature

Related Words

• frontier
• settlement
• station