outpost

noun

out·​post ˈau̇t-ˌpōst 

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

The outpost has welcomed 298 visitors from 26 countries since the doors swung open in 2000, by NASA’s count. — Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Its outpost there remains operational, as do its locations in Beijing, Seoul, and Singapore and its branch in Hong Kong’s Central district. — News Desk, Artforum, 8 Oct. 2026

As Trautman observed, many troops were stationed in remote outposts where the only attractions were those provided by the military. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026

The outpost has welcomed 298 visitors from 26 countries since the doors swung open in 2000, by NASA's count. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1720, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for outpost

• almost
• engrossed
• foremost
• hindmost
• impost
• inmost
• lamppost
• leftmost
• necrosed
• pancoast
• rightmost
• riposte

Kids Definition

outpost

noun

out·​post ˈau̇t-ˌpōst 

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