A bodyguard is someone whose job is to protect another person from physical harm. Bodyguards stay close to the people they protect, watching for potential dangers and ready to step in if trouble appears.

You've probably seen bodyguards in movies surrounding famous musicians or politicians, scanning crowds with serious expressions, wearing dark suits and sunglasses. In real life, bodyguards protect people who face genuine threats: world leaders, wealthy business executives, celebrities who've received threatening messages, or witnesses in important criminal trials. A bodyguard might be a single trained professional or part of a larger security team.

The work requires constant alertness. A bodyguard plans safe routes, checks rooms before their client enters, positions themselves between their client and potential threats, and stays ready to react instantly to danger. They need to be observant, strong, quick-thinking, and willing to put themselves at risk to protect someone else.

Sometimes people use the term loosely. You might joke about needing a bodyguard when walking past a school bully, or say your older sister acts like your bodyguard at the playground. But actual bodyguards take on real danger as their profession, making split-second decisions that could save someone's life.