What does laager mean?
A laager is a temporary defensive encampment, particularly one made by placing wagons or other vehicles in a circle so that people and animals could shelter inside and resist an attack. The word is chiefly associated with South African English and with historical military language, although British soldiers also used it during the nineteenth century. Laagers were especially associated with Boer forces and other groups whose wagons served as mobile defensive positions. In modern usage, the term is largely historical or regional rather than part of ordinary contemporary English. It can function as both a noun, naming the encampment, and a verb meaning to form or remain in one. The word carries associations with frontier life, mobility, communal protection, and the transformation of a simple overnight camp into a defensible enclosure.
A temporary defensive encampment, especially one formed by arranging wagons or vehicles in a circle.
"The wagoners prepared a laager against an approaching raid."
Chiefly South African and historical British military usage.
To form or occupy a defensive encampment.
"The company laagered for the night behind the ridge."
Used chiefly in South African and historical or military contexts.
The plural is laagers; as a count noun, it refers to separate defensive encampments.
"Several laagers were established along the road."
A laager transformed a resting place into a defensive ring, turning ordinary wagons into a fortress.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does laager come from?
The word entered English from Afrikaans lager, meaning a camp or encampment, which derives from Dutch leger, historically used for a camp and also for an army. Its relatives include German Lager and Swedish läger, which likewise developed from the Germanic vocabulary for a military camp or the place where troops were stationed. The sense for a wagon enclosure used as protection became particularly prominent in South African English.
Related word forms
How laager is actually used
The noun and verb are chiefly associated with South African English and historical military English. In contemporary general English, the term is uncommon and may sound deliberately historical or regional.
Easily confused with laager
Laager denotes a defensive encampment, whereas lager denotes a pale, bottom-fermented beer.