# guarding

/ˈɡɑɹdɪŋ/ (US) · /ɡˈɑːdɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/guarding
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. muscle tension

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

tightening your muscles, usually in your stomach, to protect a painful or injured part of your body.

For teachers: the tensing of muscles, particularly the abdominal wall, to minimise movement of inflamed or injured internal organs. This is often a clinical sign of peritonitis.

- The doctor noticed the patient was guarding his stomach when she tried to touch it.
- Physical examination revealed significant abdominal guarding, suggesting that the underlying inflammation had progressed to involve the peritoneum.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun in clinical reports.

### 3. the duty of a guard

noun · CEFR B2

the job or period of time spent watching over something.

For teachers: the act or duty of providing protection or surveillance.

- The guarding of the royal jewels is a very serious responsibility.
- The constant guarding of the border required a rotating schedule of several hundred highly trained officers.

## Examples

- The soldier is guarding the front door.
- Security guards are guarding the museum entrance to check visitor tickets.
- The immune system works tirelessly to guard the body against invading pathogens and prevent serious infection.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.