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sentinel

[ˈsɛntɪn(ə)l]

sentinel Definition

  • 1a soldier or guard whose job is to stand and keep watch
  • 2a person or thing that watches or stands as if watching

Using sentinel: Examples

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

  • Example

    The sentinel stood guard at the entrance of the castle.

  • Example

    The lighthouse serves as a sentinel for ships entering the harbor.

  • Example

    The dog acted as a sentinel, barking at any strangers who approached the house.

sentinel Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for sentinel

Idioms Using sentinel

  • keep a sentinel's watch

    to be vigilant and watchful, especially in guarding against danger or harm

    Example

    As a parent, it's important to keep a sentinel's watch over your children.

  • stand sentinel

    to act as a guard or watchman

    Example

    The soldiers took turns standing sentinel throughout the night.

  • a bird of prey, such as a hawk or eagle, that soars high above and watches over a particular area

    Example

    The red-tailed hawk is a sentinel in the sky, keeping watch over the fields below.

Phrases with sentinel

  • an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk thereof

    Example

    The hospital reported a sentinel event when a patient was given the wrong medication.

  • sentinel species

    a species whose presence, absence, or abundance in a particular ecosystem indicates the overall health of the ecosystem

    Example

    The bald eagle is a sentinel species for the health of aquatic ecosystems.

  • the first lymph node to which cancer cells are most likely to spread from a primary tumor

    Example

    The surgeon removed the sentinel lymph node to determine if the cancer had spread.

Origins of sentinel

from Old French 'sentinelle', from 'sentir' meaning 'to feel'

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Summary: sentinel in Brief

A 'sentinel' [ˈsɛntɪn(ə)l] is a soldier or guard whose job is to keep watch, or a person or thing that watches or stands as if watching. It can refer to people, animals, or even concepts like sentinel events. Phrases like 'keep a sentinel's watch' and 'stand sentinel' denote vigilance and watchfulness, while 'sentinel in the sky' refers to birds of prey that watch over an area from above.