incursion

noun

in·​cur·​sion in-ˈkər-zhən 

1

: a hostile entrance into a territory : raid

2

: an entering in or into (something, such as an activity or undertaking)

his only incursion into the arts

Synonyms of incursion

• invasion
• raid

Examples of incursion in a Sentence

an incursion into enemy airspace

there were incursions from the border every summer

Recent Examples on the Web

Guaidó’s team seemed interested in using part of the funds for the operation to finance riots in the streets that would go alongside the incursion. —Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

Some of these are described by a narrator and visualized as ghostly incursions from the past. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025

There were also suspected Russian drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace. —Reuters, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025

In a series of airspace incursions in September, Russian drones entered Poland and three MiG-31 fighter jets crossed into Estonia, prompting NATO aircraft to intercept and escort them out. —Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin incursion-, incursio, from incurrere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for incursion

• aspersion
• aversion
• conversion
• dispersion
• diversion
• eversion
• excursion
• immersion
• inversion
• perversion
• recursion
• reversion

Kids Definition

incursion

noun

in·​cur·​sion in-ˈkər-zhən 

: a sudden usually temporary invasion : raid