rearguard

American

[reer-gahrd] / ˈrɪərˌgɑrd /

Or rear-guard

adjective

of or relating to a rear guard.
designed to oppose or prevent in a defensive way.

a rearguard strategy.

rearguard British

/ ˈrɪəˌɡɑːd /

noun

a detachment detailed to protect the rear of a military formation, esp in retreat
an entrenched or conservative element, as in a political party
1. an action fought by a rearguard
2. a defensive action undertaken to try to stop something happening or continuing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of rearguard

First recorded in 1895–1900; attributive use of rear guard

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, he said the housing secretary had been "fighting against a rearguard action mounted by the freeholders and other financial interests and supported by the Treasury".

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

The Wallabies were down on the scoreboard but headed into half-time on the up after a rearguard action had kept them within touching distance of the hosts.

From BBC • Nov. 1, 2025

From there it was the Warriors' rearguard which decided the outcome.

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2025

India closed on 174-2, 137 behind thanks to a rearguard partnership between KL Rahul and Shubman Gill.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2025

‘At the breach our rearguard must stand, if we are pressed,’ said Éomer.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023