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Sentry

Military
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A sentry is a soldier stationed to guard a position and watch for approaching danger.

Detailed Definition
The sentry embodies vigilance, isolation, and the quiet tension of anticipated danger, standing watch through long hours of uncertainty. Poets use the sentry figure to explore themes of solitude and duty, as this soldier's task requires enduring boredom and fear simultaneously while responsible for the safety of others. The sentry's watchful stillness offers a contemplative counterpoint to the chaos of active battle elsewhere in war poetry.
Example
Example in poetry:
A poem might depict a lone sentry standing watch through long, uncertain hours of night; Poets use "sentry" to explore vigilance, isolation, and the quiet tension of anticipated danger; A verse could contrast the sentry's stillness with the chaos of battle happening elsewhere; The term appears in poetry examining the psychological burden of enduring both boredom and fear simultaneously; A poem might describe a sentry's private thoughts drifting toward home during a silent watch; Historical war poetry sometimes uses the sentry as a contemplative figure amid surrounding violence.
Additional Notes
A sentry is a soldier stationed to guard a position and watch for approaching danger. Sentries are the first line of defense, providing security and early warning. Their duty is to remain vigilant, challenge strangers, and sound the alarm. In poetry, the sentry represents the constant vigilance of war, the soldier alone in the dark. Related terms include guard, lookout, and picket. The sentry's motto is "alert," and their vigilance is essential to the safety of the camp or post. The sentry's relief is a moment of rest and relief. The lonely vigil is a powerful literary image.
Also Known As
Guard Lookout Sentinel Watchman Picket Watch
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