sentinel

[ˈsɛntɪn(ə)l]

sentinel Definition

• 1. a soldier or guard whose job is to stand and keep watch
• 2. a 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

Synonyms for sentinel

• guard
• watchman
• sentry
• lookout
• observer

Antonyms for sentinel

• intruder
• invader

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.

• sentinel in the sky

  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

• sentinel event

  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.

• sentinel lymph node

  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.