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.
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.