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coastguard

coastguard

1 3.5
A person whose job is to rescue and help people and boats near the coast
  • noun
  • /ˈkoʊstˌɡɑrd/
  • UK
translation icon : agente de guardacostas
  • The coastguard rescued a group of swimmers caught in a strong current.
  • coastguard officer

Examples

  • Coastguards requested help from Dunbar's ...

    Blog text (30)

  • I am Petty Officer Santiago Franchessi of the Coastguard of Argentina.

    The Mercy (2018)

  • Where's the coastguard?

    The Lovers (2015)

  • Cuban Coastguard spotted...

    Wasp Network (2020)

  • Holyhead coastguards rescued two people cut off by spring tides on Anglesey.

    Blog text (4)

  • On the long straight that bounced up the other side of the loch, Bill clocked the signs requesting assistance from the Coastguard in the fight against drug smugglers, IF YOU SEE ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS...

    Fiction book (1998)

  • When the boat capsized, the coastguard quickly dispatched a team to help.

  • The coastguard station monitors maritime activities to ensure everyone's safety.

Synonyms

surfman
vscoastguard
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A person who rescues people from shipwrecks near the shore

is the modern official who protects and assists people along the coast more broadly
coastguardsman
vscoastguard
  • UK
6.8

A person who works by the sea to protect the coast and rescue people

is the gender-neutral official who protects and assists people at sea
coastguardswoman
vscoastguard
  • UK
7.0

A woman who helps keep people and boats safe at sea and rescues them

is the gender-neutral official rather than a female-specific title

How Extensive

navy
203 2.0
coastguard
  • UK
1 3.5
harbor patrol
  • US
1 4.7
patrol
230 2.7
watch
442 4.2

Surface Forms

coastguard singular
coastguards plural

Morphology

coastguard = coast + guard (transparent) = coast + guard

The compound directly denotes a guard who operates on the coast; the relation to the base words is clear.

Etymology

Coastguard combines coast ('the land next to the sea') and guard ('a person who watches or protects'), so it can mean the person whose job is to patrol the shore and help people and boats in danger.