noun / verb
garrison
GAIR-ih-sun/ˈɡærɪsn/
Troops stationed to defend a place.
The garrison stands ready at the fortified post.
Etymology
Garison supplied the idea of protection, which developed into a fortified stronghold. The meaning of troops defending it was taken over from garnison, a word connected with furnishing provisions and munitions.
In context
Singapore with its garrison of 60,000 men surrenders to Japanese armies.
More examples
- Troops were sent to garrison the fort.
- The commander inspected the garrison.
- A small garrison remained through the winter.
Forms
garrison · garrisons · garrisoned · garrisoning
Similar words
- troops
- Soldiers generally, without the fixed defensive assignment.
- detachment
- A unit assigned separately for a task.