provost guard

American  

[proh-voh] / ˈproʊ voʊ /

noun

1. a detachment of soldiers assigned to police duties under the provost marshal.

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provost guard British  

/ prəˈvəʊ /

noun

1. (esp in the US) a detachment under command of the provost marshal

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Etymology

Origin of provost guard

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80

Example Sentences

The provost guard drank the most of it.

From The Story of a Strange Career Being the Autobiography of a Convict; an Authentic Document by Anonymous

The provost guard from the post helps out when necessary.

From Desert Dust by Shepherd, J. Clinton

There is bound to be a British army officer in command of the provost guard.

From Dave Darrin on Mediterranean Service or, With Dan Dalzell on European Duty by Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)

I begged the commander of the provost guard, Captain Haslett, to allow him to get into an ambulance.

From Lights and Shadows in Confederate Prisons A Personal Experience, 1864-5 by Sprague, Homer B. (Homer Baxter)

Then General Gibbon called up Captain Farrel, First Minnesota, who commanded the provost guard of his division, and directed him for that day to join the regiment.

From The Battle of Gettysburg by Haskell, Frank Aretas