sentry
[ sen-tree ]
/ ˈsɛn tri /
noun, plural sen·tries.
a soldier stationed at a place to stand guard and prevent the passage of unauthorized persons, watch for fires, etc., especially a sentinel stationed at a pass, gate, opening in a defense work, or the like.
a member of a guard or watch.
Nearby words
sentinel, sentinel animal, sentinel gland, sentinel pile, sentinel tag, sentry, sentry box, senufo, senussi, senwood, senza
Origin of sentry
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for sentry
British Dictionary definitions for sentry
sentry
/ (ˈsɛntrɪ) /
noun plural -tries
a soldier who guards or prevents unauthorized access to a place, keeps watch for danger, etc
the watch kept by a sentry
Word Origin for sentry
C17: perhaps shortened from obsolete centrinel, C16 variant of sentinel
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for sentry
sentry
1610s, originally "watchtower;" perhaps a shortened variant of sentinel, which had a variant form centrinel (1590s); or perhaps worn down from sanctuary, on notion of "shelter for a watchman." Meaning "military guard posted around a camp" is first attested 1630s. Sentry-box is from 1728.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper