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

In August, at Finland’s request, the Swedish government deployed fighter aircraft and a warship to help patrol Finland’s eastern airspace and the Gulf of Finland against Russian air incursions and drones straying from Ukrainian operations. — Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026

Merrony also theorized that Maximus may have visited the region in response to incursions by Irish groups during the fourth century, before departing Britain for continental Europe. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

But as vaccination rates have slipped nationwide in recent years and outbreaks grow bigger and more frequent, domestic travel now poses a greater risk than international incursions. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026

In the renderings, the two pavilion structures sit on a thin concrete plane and are elevated, allowing for pedestrian passage in the courtyard underneath and preventing the incursion of floodwaters into exhibitions spaces. — News Desk, Artforum, 22 Oct. 2026

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