Definition

A person who works for the coast guard, helping to protect the coast and assist in emergencies at sea.

Example

The coastguardsman bravely rescued the stranded boaters during the storm.

Conversation

Did you hear about the coastguardsman who saved that family at the beach?

No way! What happened?

He jumped into the water when their boat capsized and brought them to safety.

That's incredible! He must be so brave.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Coastguardsman is formed from "coast" (from Old French *coste*, meaning the land beside the sea) and "guardsman" (from "guard" which comes from Old French *guarder*, meaning to keep safe, and "man" meaning a person). The word refers to a person who is responsible for guarding or patrolling the coastal areas.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who is a 'person' ('man') that 'guards' ('guarder') the 'land beside the sea' ('coast'). This helps you remember that a coastguardsman is someone who protects coastal regions.

Visually Confused Words