English

Alternative forms

• rear guard, rear-guard

Noun

rearguard ‎(plural rearguards)

1. (military) The rearmost part of a force, especially a detachment of troops that protect the rear of a retreating force.
2. (soccer) The defence, collectively the defenders.
   • 2011 January 22, Phil McNulty, “Aston Villa 1 - 0 Man City”, in BBC:

     Mancini's side only showed enough ambition when it was too late and by then battle lines were drawn as James Collins and former City captain Richard Dunne fought a magnificent rearguard action at the heart of Villa's defence.

Usage notes

• Usually used attributively.

Antonyms

• vanguard

Translations