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Coastguard - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A coastguard is a maritime organization responsible for enforcing laws, ensuring safety, and conducting rescue operations at sea. It operates along coastlines to protect lives, property, and the environment.

coastguard

/ˈkoʊstˌɡɑrd/ /ˈkəʊstˌɡɑːd/

Definition:

An organization or service responsible for maritime safety, rescue, and law enforcement along coastlines.

Synonyms:

maritime police, sea rescue, lifeguard

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

pirate, smuggler

Common Collocations:

coastguard station, coastguard vessel, coastguard helicopter

Derivatives:

coastguardsman, coastguarding

Usage Tips:

Use "coastguard" to refer to the organization or its members; it’s often capitalized when referring to a specific national service (e.g., U.S. Coast Guard).

Common Phrases:

call the coastguard, join the coastguard, coastguard rescue

Etymology:

Derived from "coast" (shoreline) + "guard" (protector), first used in the early 19th century for coastal defense forces.

Examples:

  • 1. The coastguard patrols the shoreline for emergencies.
  • 2. We called the coastguard when our boat started sinking.
  • 3. The coastguard rescued stranded swimmers near the reef.
  • 4. She joined the coastguard to help save lives at sea.

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