Definitions
01protecting
B1 · Intermediate
v. watching over something or someone to keep them safe.
v. the act of protecting or watching over a person, place, or object to prevent harm or escape.
“The soldiers were guarding the palace gates all through the night.”
“By guarding the perimeter with such vigilance, the security team ensured that no unauthorised personnel could access the sensitive data centre.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02muscle tension
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Medicine Technical
n. when your stomach muscles become tight and hard because you are in pain.
n. the involuntary tensing of the abdominal wall muscles to protect inflamed organs from pain during a physical examination.
“The doctor noticed guarding when she pressed on the patient's stomach.”
“The presence of involuntary guarding during the palpation of the lower right quadrant strongly suggested acute appendicitis.”
Usage
Often used in the context of an abdominal exam.
Teaching tip
This is a highly specific medical term; in everyday English, people would just say their muscles are 'tight' or 'tense'.
Synonyms
03the duty of a guard
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the job or task of protecting a place.
n. the state or duty of acting as a guard.
“He was assigned to guarding duty for the remainder of the week.”
“The schedule for guarding was rotated every four hours to ensure that the sentries remained alert and focused.”
Synonyms
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/guarding
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0