How to say "sentinel" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

衛兵えいへいCommon
nounCovers 'sentinel' as a person: a soldier standing guard, as at a palace or gate. The nuance is the guard himself and his post rather than the act of watching.
見張りみはりCommon
nounCovers 'sentinel' as the watch or lookout rather than the guard as a figure: keeping watch for approaching people or danger. It can also denote the person assigned to keep watch.
２人ふたりの兵士へいしが、門もんのところで見張みはりをしていた。↗
Two soldiers kept guard at the gate.

Choose 衛兵 when 'sentinel' means the guard himself — a soldier posted to stand watch — and 「見張り」 when the focus is the watching or lookout itself.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

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