provost guard

[ proh-voh ]

noun

1. a detachment of soldiers assigned to police duties under the provost marshal.

provost guard

/ prəˈvəʊ /

noun

1. (esp in the US) a detachment under command of the provost marshal

Word History and Origins

Origin of provost guard¹

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80

Example Sentences

I don't know whether the rest of the men heard the final order of the provost guard or not.

From Project Gutenberg

In the course of an hour we were under way, and without any molestation from the provost guards.

From Project Gutenberg

The whole Division then moved to the vicinity of Frederick City, our Regiment being detailed in the city as provost guard.

From Project Gutenberg

They were the provost guard of the city, with their head-quarters in the citadel.

From Project Gutenberg

The evening of the seventh day some of the provost guard took us to the railroad depot en route for Columbia.

From Project Gutenberg