trench
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.

20 ENTRIES FOUND:

1trench

noun \ˈtrench\

Definition of TRENCH

1
a : a long cut in the ground : ditch; especially : one used for military defense often with the excavated dirt thrown up in front
b plural : a place, position, or level at which an activity is carried on in a manner likened to trench warfare —often used in the phrase in the trenches <activists working in the trenches>
2
: a long, narrow, and usually steep-sided depression in the ocean floor — compare trough

Examples of TRENCH

  1. <dug a trench and filled it with water in an attempt to keep the forest fire off her property>

Origin of TRENCH

Middle English trenche track cut through a wood, from Anglo-French, act of cutting, ditch, from trencher, trenchier to cut, probably from Vulgar Latin *trinicare to cut in three, from Latin trini three each — more at trine
First Known Use: 15th century

Related to TRENCH

Synonyms
dike, fosse (or foss), gutter, sheugh [chiefly Scottish], ditch, trough

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

2trench

verb

Definition of TRENCH

transitive verb
1
: to make a cut in : carve
2
a : to protect with or as if with a trench
b : to cut a trench in : ditch
intransitive verb
1
a : entrench, encroach <trenching on other domains which were more vital — Sir Winston Churchill>
b : to come close : verge
2
: to dig a trench

First Known Use of TRENCH

15th century

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: trenchancy
Previous Word in the Dictionary: tremulous
All Words Near: trench

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up trench? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Name That Thing

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

Get Our Free Apps
Voice Search, Favorites,
Word of the Day, and More
Join Us on FB & Twitter
Get the Word of the Day and More