bivouac

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noun biv·ouac \ˈbi-və-ˌwak, ˈbiv-ˌwak\

Definition of bivouac

1 : a usually temporary encampment under little or no shelter
2a : encampment usually for a nightb : a temporary or casual shelter or lodging

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Examples of bivouac in a Sentence

soldiers setting up a bivouac by the stream

Recent Examples of bivouac from the Web

To gain admission at that time, a young climber had to demonstrate technical prowess, sleep outside on a mountain ledge (known as a bivouac), pass written tests and show a command of mountaineering history, art and literature.

— michael powell, New York Times, "Scaling the World’s Most Lethal Mountain, in the Dead of Winter," 9 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bivouac.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bivouac

French, from Low German biwacht, from bi by + wacht guard

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1819

See Words from the same year

Other Military Terms

logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

bivouac

verb biv·ouac

Definition of bivouac

bivouacked

;

bivouacking

intransitive verb
1 : to make a bivouac : camp a place for the troops to bivouac
2 : to take shelter often temporarily
transitive verb
: to provide temporary quarters for They were bivouacked in the gym during the storm.

Examples of bivouac in a Sentence

the army bivouacked for the night by the lake
survivors of the tornado were bivouacked in the church basement

Recent Examples of bivouac from the Web

World War I troops gave tips on bayonet thrusts, and a company of infantry in War of 1812 gear bivouacked not far from a blacksmith and an impressive array of medieval swords.

— andrew roth, Washington Post, "Tens of thousands rally across Russia in protests against corruption," 12 June 2017
The 82nd Airborne was bivouacked in the Ardennes Forest, vastly outmanned and outgunned against a surprise German counteroffensive in the snow and ice.

— brian murphy, Twin Cities, "Paul Molitor drafts a favorite in-law to raise Opening Day flags," 3 Apr. 2017

Did You Know?

In his 1841 dictionary, Noah Webster observed bivouac to be a French borrowing having military origins. He defined the noun bivouac as "the guard or watch of a whole army, as in cases of great danger of surprise or attack" and the verb as "to watch or be on guard, as a whole army." The French word is derived from the Low German word biwacht, which translates to "by guard." Germans used the word specifically for a patrol of citizens who assisted the town watch at night. Today, bivouac has less to do with guarding and patrolling than it does with taking shelter.