beachhead

noun

beach·​head ˈbēch-ˌhed How to pronounce beachhead (audio)
1
: an area on a hostile shore occupied to secure further landing of troops and supplies
2

Examples of beachhead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The war must end immediately… And there must be an immediate activation of small beachheads throughout Gaza to create Hamas-free zones from which the Strip’s recovery and hopefully, political transformation and rejuvenation in the transitional period can begin. Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025 But the effort to isolate Qatar has only pushed it closer to Iran, providing Tehran with a beachhead on the southern shores of the Persian Gulf. Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018 The upshot: Australia has now come to serve as a beachhead for others to prepare their own defenses. Charlie Campbell, Time, 3 Apr. 2025 Pushing in behind the investment beachheads are Chinese diplomats, peacekeepers, security contractors, shopkeepers, media enterprises, training and exchange programs, and many other forms of influence. Luke Patey, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020 See All Example Sentences for beachhead

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beachhead was in 1920

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Cite this Entry

“Beachhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beachhead. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

beachhead

noun
beach·​head ˈbēch-ˌhed How to pronounce beachhead (audio)
: an area on an enemy shore held by an advance force of an invading army to protect the later landing of troops or supplies

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