praetorian

American  

[pree-tawr-ee-uhn, -tohr-] / priˈtɔr i ən, -ˈtoʊr- /

adjective

1. of or relating to a praetor.

2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to the Praetorian Guard.

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noun

1. a person having the rank of praetor or ex-praetor.

2. (often initial capital letter) a soldier of the Praetorian Guard.

Praetorian ¹ British  

/ priːˈtɔːrɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Praetorian Guard

2. (sometimes not capital) resembling the Praetorian Guard, esp with regard to corruption

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noun

1. a member of the Praetorian Guard

praetorian ² British  

/ priːˈtɔːrɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to a praetor

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noun

1. a person holding praetorian rank; a praetor or ex-praetor

Etymology

Origin of praetorian

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Latin word praetōriānus. See praetor, -ian

Example Sentences

Bashir had empowered Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, to run the RSF as a praetorian guard to protect him against possible challenges from within the army.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

Dictators obviously maintain unilateral control of their militaries, employed as they invariably are as praetorian protectors and coercive extensions of their autocratic overlords.

From Salon • Dec. 24, 2023

“It’s an army within an army, the regime’s praetorian guard,” he said.

From New York Times • Feb. 3, 2023

Key aspects of the effort to achieve legitimacy were thus more praetorian or Bonapartist than fascist.

From Slate • Feb. 9, 2017

The praetorian guard, dissolved by Vitellius, was reconstituted out of Italian cohorts following the precedent set by Augustus.

From A History of Rome to 565 A. D. by Boak, Arthur Edward Romilly