I. ˈgarəsən also ˈger- noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English garisoun protection, treasure, stronghold, from Old French garison protection, provisions, from garir to protect, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German werien to defend
1. : a place of security : stronghold ; specifically : garrison house
2.
a. : a place in which troops are quartered : a military post ; especially : a permanent military installation
b. : a group of people associated with a military installation
the garrison is small, consisting largely of expert workmen employed in the machine shops — American Guide Series: Texas
specifically : a body of troops stationed at a military post
a colony of Moors left as garrison by the old-time Turkish government — G.W.Murray
c. : something that resembles a defensive stronghold
storming Conservative garrisons with his Liberal dervishes — V.L.Albjerg
d. : a place that is used as a military stronghold
Berlin … has become a garrison of the Allies — Eric Linklater
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- in garrison
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to furnish with soldiers : supply (a military post) with troops for defense
a small stockaded Fort Sackville was built but not permanently garrisoned — T.R.Hay
2.
a. : to assign as a garrison : station
did not garrison any troops in Manchuria — H.E.Abend
b. : to secure or defend by manning with troops : occupy
these three areas are the strategic heart of Europe and there can be no real peace or relaxation of tension as long as … troops garrison them — H.W.Baldwin
3.
a. : to cause to serve in a garrison
petty duties that become tragedies to garrisoned soldiers — Combat Forces Journal
b. : to furnish living quarters for (a garrison) : accommodate
temporary sheet-iron buildings … capable of garrisoning about 1500 soldiers — American Guide Series: Louisiana