outpost

[ out-pohst ]

noun

1. a station established at a distance from the main body of an army to protect it from surprise attack:

   We keep only a small garrison of men at our desert outposts.

2. the body of troops stationed there; detachment or perimeter guard.
3. an outlying settlement, installation, position, etc.

outpost

/ ˈaʊtˌpəʊst /

noun

1. military
   1. a position stationed at a distance from the area occupied by a major formation
   2. the troops assigned to such a position
2. an outlying settlement or position
3. a limit or frontier

Word History and Origins

Origin of outpost¹

First recorded in 1750–60; out- + post ²

Example Sentences

Even that small outpost is miles from the desert where a dozen paleontologists are hiking, looking for signs of long-ago life.

From Los Angeles Times

That meant finding ways to deliver 6 million meals, 2 million gallons of fuel and a million cases of bottled water to hundreds of bases and outposts — some reachable only by airdrop — each month.

From Los Angeles Times

While it’s not unusual for a large country to establish a military outpost on the territory of a smaller ally, the construction work on Agalega has troubled some islanders.

From BBC

Plan your next walk around L.A.’s many Little Free Libraries, outposts found everywhere from Studio City to Pasadena that allow you to take a book and/or leave a book.

From Los Angeles Times

Plan your next walk around L.A.’s many Little Free Libraries, outposts found everywhere from Studio City to Pasadena that allow you to take a book and/or leave a book.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• frontier
• settlement
• station