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guard boat

guard boat

1 5.2
A boat that watches and protects a harbor or ships
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : barco de guardia
  • A Coast Guard boat is patrolling the harbor to ensure the safety of the fleet.
  • coast guard boat

Examples

  • During the training exercise, the guard boat was responsible for protecting the naval vessels from potential threats.

  • I think it was a Coast Guard boat, and I think I was in a uniform.

  • A couple of years ago, the San Diego Christmas 'Parade of Lights' boat parade was diminished by a Coast Guard boat crashing into a docked boat and killing a little boy who was aboard.

    Blog text (12)
  • The guard boat was stationed near the warships to monitor any suspicious activity in the area.

Synonyms

gunboat
vsguard boat
  • Specialized
7 6.6

A small armed boat that moves in shallow water near coasts and rivers

is more about routine patrol and protection than heavy armament
patrol boat
vsguard boat
  • Specialized
7 3.5

A small boat that watches for danger and protects a coast or harbor

focuses especially on protecting harbors and nearby warships
patrol ship
vsguard boat
  • Specialized
4 3.7

A ship used by the navy or coast guard to watch and protect the sea

is usually a small craft specially assigned to protect harbors and fleets
police boat
vsguard boat
3 3.0

Police officers use a boat to patrol harbors and keep people safe on the water

performs military protection for harbors and ships rather than law enforcement
gunship
vsguard boat
  • Specialized
3 5.0

A small armed boat used near coasts or rivers to patrol and fight

focuses on patrol and local protection rather than offensive combat roles
guard ship
vsguard boat
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A navy ship kept ready to respond quickly to emergencies

is typically a small assigned craft for routine harbor patrol and protection
picket boat
vsguard boat
  • Specialized
8.0

A small boat that patrols and watches for danger near a harbor or fleet

is used more generally to patrol and protect harbors and nearby ships
picket ship
vsguard boat
  • Specialized
8.5

A ship that watches for enemy ships or planes and warns other ships

usually serves nearby ships in patrol and defense rather than only warning

Antonyms

2.3

Something likely to cause harm or danger

240 3.9

A person who enters a place without permission to steal or harm people

How Armed

destroyer
  • Specialized
62 7.3
frigate
  • Specialized
5 8.2
guard boat
  • Specialized
1 5.2
patrol boat
  • Specialized
7 3.5
escort
175 4.0

Surface Forms

guard boat singular
guard boats plural

Morphology

guard + boat

The meaning 'a boat assigned to patrol and protect a harbor or fleet' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'guard' (one who protects) with 'boat' (a small craft). This noun‑noun composition is a common, compositional pattern (cf. 'patrol boat', 'guard ship') and is easily inferable by a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

The name guard boat, from guard and boat, comes from the image of a small boat circling larger ships and watching them like a guard dog, so it means 'to watch and protect' a harbor or group of ships.