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sentinel

/ˈsɛn(t)ən(ə)l/
noun
  1. A person or thing that watches or guards, especially a soldier stationed to keep watch.
    • Ancient towers served as sentinels along the coast to warn of approaching ships.
    • The sentinel stood at the gate, watching for any sign of danger.
    • The guard dog acted as a sentinel, barking at any stranger near the house.
  2. Something that serves as a warning or indicator of a condition or change.
    • The early symptoms were a sentinel of the disease to come.
    • The first frost is a sentinel of winter's approach.
    • The stock market drop was a sentinel of the economic downturn.
Synonyms
guardwatchmanlookout
verb
  1. To watch over or guard as a sentinel.
    • The lighthouse sentinels the rocky shore, guiding ships safely.
    • She felt like she had to sentinel her younger brother at the crowded fair.
    • The soldiers were ordered to sentinel the perimeter all night.
Synonyms
protectpatrol
Antonyms
neglect