Dictionary
out•post
Pronunciation: (out'pōst"), [key]—
n.
1. a station established at a distance from the main body of an army to protect it from surprise attack:
We keep only a small garrison of men at our desert outposts.
2. the body of troops stationed there; detachment or perimeter guard.
3. an outlying settlement, installation, position, etc.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.