Definition of sentry Sentry

/sɛˈntɹi/ - [sentree] - sen•try

We found 10 definitions of sentry from 7 different sources.

What does sentry mean?

WordNet

Noun
sentry - a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
		lookout, lookout man, sentinel, watch, spotter, scout, picket
		security guard, watchman, watcher a guard who keeps watch

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Wiktionary

sentry (Noun)
A guard, particularly on duty at the entrance to a military base.
sentry (Noun)
Sentry duty; time spent being a sentry.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

sentry (n.)
A soldier placed on guard; a sentinel.
sentry (n.)
Guard; watch, as by a sentinel.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

sentry
sen′tri, n. a sentinel: a soldier on guard to observe the approach of danger: a watch-tower.—ns Sen′try-box, a box to shelter a sentry; Sen′try-go, any active military duty. [Prob. a corr. of sentinel—Low L. semitarius—L. semita, a path.]

Sailor's Word-BookThe Sailor's Word-Book ⛵

sentry
A soldier, marine, or seaman placed upon any post, to watch and enforce any specific order with which he may be intrusted.

Military DictionaryMilitary Dictionary and Gazetteer 💥

sentry
(from the Lat. sentire, “to feel or perceive,” through the Ital. sentinella). A private soldier, marine, or sailor, posted at a point of trust, with the duty of watching the approach of an enemy, or any person suspected of hostile intentions. Sentinels mount guard over dépots of arms, the tents of commanding officers, etc. During the night, each sentinel is intrusted with the “word,” or countersign; and no person, however exalted in position, may attempt to approach or pass him without giving that as a signal. In such case, the sentinel is bound to arrest the intruder, and if necessary to shoot him. It has happened before now that the commander-in-chief of an army has been prisoner in the hands of one of his own sentinels. When an army is in the field, the sentinels are its eyes, for they guard the approaches in every direction some distance in front of the main body of troops. In the event of an attack, they give the alarm, and retire slowly on their supports. There is usually an agreement, tacit or expressed, between commanders that their outlying sentinels shall not fire upon one another, which would only be productive of useless bloodshed. Under martial law, death is the penalty to a sentinel sleeping on post. Sentinels will present arms to general and field-officers, to the officer of the day, and the commanding officer of a post; to all other officers they will carry arms. Staff-officers above the rank of captain are entitled to the same compliments from sentinels as are given to field-officers.
sentry
The same as sentinel. “Sentry go,” is the warning given by the sentry at the guard-room or tent that it is time to relieve sentries.