S: (n) precaution, safeguard, guard (a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.) "he put an ice pack on the injury as a precaution"; "an insurance policy is a good safeguard"; "we let our guard down"
S: (n) position ((in team sports) the role assigned to an individual player) "what position does he play?"
S: (n) goalkeeper, goalie, goaltender, netkeeper (the defensive position on an ice hockey or soccer or lacrosse team who stands in front of the goal and tries to prevent opposing players from scoring)
S: (n) pitcher, mound (the position on a baseball team of the player who throws the ball for a batter to try to hit) "he has played every position except pitcher"; "they have a southpaw on the mound"
S: (n) catcher (the position on a baseball team of the player who is stationed behind home plate and who catches the balls that the pitcher throws) "a catcher needs a lot of protective equipment"; "a catcher plays behind the plate"
S: (n) first base, first (the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed at first of the bases in the infield (counting counterclockwise from home plate))
S: (n) second base, second (the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed near the second of the bases in the infield)
S: (n) shortstop, short (the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed between second and third base)
S: (n) third base, third (the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed near the third of the bases in the infield (counting counterclockwise from home plate)) "he is playing third"
S: (n) left field, leftfield (the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is expected to field balls in the left third of the outfield (looking from home plate))
S: (n) center field, centerfield (the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is expected to field balls in the central third of the outfield)
S: (n) right field, rightfield (the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is expected to field balls in the right third of the outfield (looking from home plate))
S: (n) forward (a position on a basketball, soccer, or hockey team)
S: (v) protect (shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage) "Weatherbeater protects your roof from the rain"
S: (v) defend (be on the defensive; act against an attack)
S: (v) prevent, keep (stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state) "We must prevent the cancer from spreading"; "His snoring kept me from falling asleep"; "Keep the child from eating the marbles"
S: (v) defend, guard, hold (protect against a challenge or attack) "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks"
S: (v) guard (take precautions in order to avoid some unwanted consequence) "guard against becoming too friendly with the staff"; "guard against infection"
S: (v) act, move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)) "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel"