a soldier stationed to keep guard or to control access to a place, a person employed to guard something

on sentry duty, sentry box, sentry gun

Formal and Informal Expressions of sentry

In different contexts, you can replace 'sentry' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'guard, watchman' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'lookout, watch' is a commonplace synonym.

sentry: Explore its Definition & Usage

sentry Definition

1a soldier stationed to keep guard or to control access to a place
2a person employed to guard something

Using sentry: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "sentry" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The sentry was standing at the entrance of the military base.
Example
The museum has a sentry to protect the valuable artifacts.
Example
The sentries were on high alert during the night.

sentry Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for sentry

Phrases with sentry

on sentry duty
assigned to stand guard and watch for potential threats
Example
He was on sentry duty all night, watching for any suspicious activity.
sentry box
a small shelter used by a sentry while on duty
Example
The sentry was standing outside the sentry box, keeping watch over the area.
sentry gun
an automated weapon system used to detect and engage targets without human intervention
Example
The military base had several sentry guns installed to protect against enemy attacks.

Origins of sentry

from Middle French 'sentinelle', from Old Italian 'sentinella', from sentire 'to perceive'

📌

Summary: sentry in Brief

A 'sentry' [ˈsɛntri] is a soldier or person employed to guard or control access to a place. It can also refer to the act of standing guard, as in 'on sentry duty.' Other related terms include 'sentry box,' a small shelter for a sentry, and 'sentry gun,' an automated weapon system.