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

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

The reef is home to a small Philippine military outpost aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting World War Two-era ship deliberately grounded there in 1999 to assert Manila's claim to the territory.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

While NASA’s goal is to establish more of an outpost dedicated to expanding the reach of the U.S., others are planning something straight out of the works of Andy Weir or Robert Heinlein: colonization.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Now, nearly two centuries later, the restaurant that calls itself the first fine-dining spot in the U.S. is preparing to open its second outpost in Midtown Manhattan despite the rapidly rising price of beef.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

They had been travelling between Puerto Leguizamo and another Amazon outpost nearby.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

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

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

Related Words

• frontier
• settlement
• station