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.
Marie, a rural outpost that for thousands of years has been a gathering place and trading hub for Indigenous communities. — Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026 For example, Eredi Zucca recently unveiled a permanent corner at the Communité’s Galataport İstanbul location, which will be followed by another one in the Turkish retailer’s İstinyePark outpost next year. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026 The Marcianos join their ranks this month as the owners of La Réserve Firenze, the latest and first Italian outpost of the hospitality collection founded by French entrepreneur Michel Reybier. — Matt Ortile, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026 Topco Scientific, a Taiwanese materials integrator that works closely with TSMC, opened an outpost in Phoenix in 2022, operating at a loss for years until TSMC’s first fab was up and running. — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 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

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