garrison
noun /ˈɡærɪsn/
/ˈɡærɪsn/
[countable + singular or plural verb]- a group of soldiers living in a town or fort to defend it; the buildings these soldiers live in
- a garrison of 5 000 troops
- The regiment was assigned to garrison duty in the north of the country.
- a garrison town
- Half the garrison is/are on duty.
- Recognizing the importance of the area, they built a garrison and fortified the town.
Oxford Collocations DictionaryGarrison is used before these nouns:- troops
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘safety, means of protection’): from Old French garison, from garir ‘defend, provide’, of Germanic origin.