bridgehead

noun

bridge·head | \ ˈbrij-ˌhed

Definition of bridgehead

1a : a fortification protecting the end of a bridge nearest an enemy

b : an area around the end of a bridge

2 : an advanced position seized in hostile territory

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Examples of bridgehead in a Sentence

established a bridgehead on the beach before beginning the land invasion

Recent Examples on the Web

Calling his men to join him, Allworth swam the canal under enemy fire and rallied his troops, who then pushed back the opposing force, took 100 prisoners and secured the bridgehead for the Allied advance. — Gazette-times, OregonLive.com, "Final marker installed on Oregon's Medal of Honor Highway," 3 May 2018 The Burnaston plant was established in 1989 as Toyota’s first major bridgehead in Europe and was also a pioneer of hybrid-vehicle manufacturing. — Christopher Jasper, Bloomberg.com, "Toyota to Keep Auris in U.K. in Show of Post-Brexit Confidence," 28 Feb. 2018 The plan originally proposed raising the maximum building heights near the downtown Transit Mall and the Morrison and Hawthorne bridgeheads to increase density near public transit. — OregonLive.com, "Iconic views at risk of obstruction under proposed Portland zoning plan," 21 Jan. 2018 If the government can manage the shift in investment in Lanzhou without unleashing the excesses of the past decade, the city may eventually fill its empty tower blocks and once again become a bridgehead for China’s western development. — Bloomberg.com, "Xi Jinping’s Debt Clampdown Has Left a Trail of Dead Projects," 15 Jan. 2018 The central district is primarily Kellogg Mall Park, the three-block public park between the Robert Street and Wacouta Street bridgeheads. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, "Downtown St. Paul river promenade draft plan out for public comment," 10 Apr. 2017 In addition, a green-roofed glass building would be erected near the Robert Street bridgehead to serve as an interpretive center or community gathering space. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, "Downtown St. Paul river promenade draft plan out for public comment," 10 Apr. 2017

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

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The first known use of bridgehead was in 1801

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bridgehead

noun

English Language Learners Definition of bridgehead

: an area near the end of a bridge that is controlled by an army also : any area that an army takes from an enemy and from which it can move forward to make an attack

See the full definition for bridgehead in the English Language Learners Dictionary