Word
outpost
Phoneticsout·post, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈaʊtˌpoʊst/
UK/ˈaʊtpəʊst/
Definitions
01military station
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Military
n. a small military camp or building that is far away from the main army to watch for enemies.
n. a military station established at a distance from the main body of troops to prevent surprises or monitor enemy movement.
“The soldiers at the desert outpost watched the horizon for any signs of movement.”
“The remote mountain outpost served as an early warning system, allowing the main garrison to prepare for any potential incursions from the border.”
02remote settlement
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a small town or office in a distant place, often far from other people.
n. an outlying settlement or branch of an organisation located in a remote or sparsely populated area.
“The company opened a small trading outpost in the northern forest.”
“What began as a lonely scientific outpost eventually grew into a permanent research station housing dozens of international experts.”
Synonyms
03chess square
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Sports Technical
n. a square on the board that is protected by your pieces and hard for the opponent to attack.
n. a square, usually on the fifth or sixth rank, that is protected by a pawn and cannot be easily attacked by an enemy pawn.
“The player moved his knight to a strong outpost in the centre of the board.”
“By establishing a knight on the d5 outpost, White exerted significant pressure on the opponent's kingside throughout the middle game.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “outpost” in context.
Real-World Examples
“Many of the small ad-hoc settler outposts that have mushroomed around al-Mughayyir are illegal under Israeli law too.” “By Peace Now’s latest count, of the approximately 390 illegal outposts and farms across the West Bank, at least 21 sit in Area B.” Etymology
From out- + post.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/outpost