Word forms: plural coastguardsregional note: in AM, usually use Coast Guard
1. countable noun
A coastguard is an official who watches the sea near a coast in order to get help for sailors when they need it and to stop illegal activities.
[mainly British]
Thecoastguard is the organization to which coastguards belong.
[British]
The survivors were lifted off by two helicopters from the Coastguard.
2. countable noun
The Coast Guard is a part of a country's military forces and is responsible for protecting the coast, carrying out rescues, and doing police work along the coast.
[US]
The U.S. Coast Guard says it rescued more than 100 Haitian refugees.
A Coast Guard is a member of the coastguard.
[US]
The boat was intercepted by U.S. Coast Guards.
coastguard in British English
(ˈkəʊstˌɡɑːd)
noun
1.
a maritime force which aids shipping, saves lives at sea, prevents smuggling, etc
2. Also called: coastguardsman, coastguardman
a member of such a force
Examples of 'coastguard' in a sentence
coastguard
The search also involved coastguards and police.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Libyan coastguard officials denied the claims.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The Japanese coastguard will receive two new patrol ships and recruit 200 more personnel.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A witness said:'The police and coastguard were on the jetty and they could only watch the boat sail away.
The Sun (2016)
A major incident was declared by the coastguard, with two helicopters and a French tug sent to assist the stricken ship.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
His disappearance sparked a search involving a coastguard helicopter and eight lifeboats.
The Sun (2015)
The sailor was forced to call coastguards when his rigging failed.
The Sun (2013)
These can be used by coastguards and police anywhere goods can be scanned for radiation.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Police sealed off paths and coastguards kept boats away.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Two naval ships and two coastguard vessels are also helping.
The Sun (2014)
The police and coastguard said that it was unclear why the swimmers had got into difficulties.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Kenyan police and coastguards tracked the speedboat and were reported to have surrounded it.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But a major police and coastguard operation swung into action after one worried chum tipped off cops.
The Sun (2009)
When he heard news of the coastguard search on the radio he contacted police to explain what had happened.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The agency revised the number upwards after fresh information from the survivors and the Italian coastguard.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The Venezuelan coastguard widened its search yesterday after failing to find any wreckage.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The Italian coastguard was searching for them.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The captain got stuck in the lavatory because of a jammed lock and called for help, the coastguard said.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Four Italian coastguard vessels and a spotter plane were joined by at least nine passing merchant ships helping with the rescue operations yesterday.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
At least five people were killed when an overcrowded migrant boat capsized last month which was dramatically caught on camera by Italian coastguards.
The Sun (2016)
A few Italian coastguard ships are not enough.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A helicopter was dispatched with two ambulances, coastguards and fire crews to help with the rescue.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is protected by 20,000 police officers, air force planes fly regular patrols and coastguard and naval ships are on standby in the nearby bay.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
UK coastguards were helping those in France and Spain to try to save the vessel as it drifted in a busy shipping lane.
The Sun (2016)
In other languages
coastguard
British English: coastguard /ˈkəʊstˌɡɑːd/ NOUN
A coastguard is an official who watches the sea near a coast, in order to get help when it is needed and to prevent smuggling.