outpost

noun

out·​post ˈau̇t-ˌpōst How to pronounce outpost (audio)
Synonyms of outpostnext
1
a
: a security detachment dispatched by a main body of troops to protect it from enemy surprise
b
: a military base established by treaty or agreement in another country
2
a
: an outlying or frontier settlement
b
: an outlying branch or position of a main organization or group

Examples of outpost in a Sentence

an American outpost in Africa The city was established as a military outpost in the 1800s. a remote outpost of the old British Empire
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Afanasyev and Manarov began a 175-day stay as part of the outpost’s 11th expedition. — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026 Since 2023, more than 200 new settlements and outposts have been built or are under construction. — Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026 In Europe, Ulla Johnson is testing markets through outposts and concessions, including a presence at Galeries Lafayette in Paris. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 The spacewalk is the fourth in a recent slew of spacewalks since August as NASA looks to make a series of upgrades to the iconic, albeit aging, orbital outpost. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outpost

Word History

First Known Use

1720, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of outpost was in 1720

Rhymes for outpost

See All Rhymes for outpost

Browse Nearby Words

outporter
outpost
outpour
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Cite this Entry

“Outpost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outpost. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

outpost

noun
out·​post ˈau̇t-ˌpōst How to pronounce outpost (audio)
1
: a guard stationed at a distance from a military force or camp
2
: the position occupied by an outpost
3
: a settlement on a frontier or in a faraway place

More from Merriam-Webster on outpost

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