home guard

noun

1. a volunteer force used for meeting local emergencies when the regular armed forces are needed elsewhere.

Home Guard

noun

1. a volunteer part-time military force recruited for the defence of the United Kingdom in World War II
2. (in various countries) a civil defence and reserve militia organization

Word History and Origins

Origin of home guard¹

First recorded in 1735–45

Example Sentences

Russian TV usually present him as a member of the local Slovyansk home guard.

From The Daily Beast

This "officer" turned out to be "Captain" James Burbick, of the home guard.

From Project Gutenberg

I answered, "I belong to the home-guard company in the bend: hurry, or they are gone."

From Project Gutenberg

A Confederate “home guard,” hearing something going on upon the island, rode across, concealed his horse and still-hunted me.

From Project Gutenberg

Go thou and Hake back to the huts as fast as may be, and order the home-guard to make all needful preparation.

From Project Gutenberg

The rle of home guard did not appeal to him much, but when a fellow says “he bids to,” that settles it.

From Project Gutenberg