bridgehead

noun

Save Word

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

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about bridgehead

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for bridgehead

Synonyms

base,
foothold

Examples of bridgehead in a Sentence

established a bridgehead on the beach before beginning the land invasion

Recent Examples on the Web In the real world, that same scattershot purchasing model is one that Tencent has used to build, stealthily, a bridgehead in the global gaming industry. — The Economist, "Schumpeter Tencent has used stealth to become a gaming superpower," 13 June 2020 First, church buildings are not an escape from the world, but a bridgehead into the world. — N.t. Wright, Time, "Should Churches Reopen? The Answer Lies in Thinking of This As a Time of Exile," 21 May 2020 Volkswagen AG offered to buy the rest of Navistar International Corp. in a $2.9 billion bid to secure a bridgehead in the U.S. heavy-truck market and step up its challenge to Daimler AG and Volvo AB. — Christoph Rauwald, Fortune, "VW offers $2.9 billion to buy the rest of Navistar in U.S. truck market push," 31 Jan. 2020 Although heavy losses were claimed to have been inflicted on the landing forces, the communique admitted that the Allies had strengthened their bridgehead. — Wes Gallagher, Houston Chronicle, "YANKS TAKE TOWN NEAR CHERBOURG," 9 June 2019 Mere Eglise, west coast of Cherbourg Peninsula, had fought their way through and linked up with Allied bridgehead on the east coast of the peninsula. — Wes Gallagher, Houston Chronicle, "YANKS TAKE TOWN NEAR CHERBOURG," 9 June 2019 After months of planning, deception and preparation, D-Day symbolized the moment when the Western Allies began to establish the bridgehead from which to begin their advance on Germany, even as the Soviet Red Army moved in from the East. — Alan Cowell, New York Times, "D-Day in Photos: Heroes of a More Certain Time," 6 June 2019 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

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about bridgehead

Dictionary Entries near bridgehead

Statistics for bridgehead

Cite this Entry

“Bridgehead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bridgehead. Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for bridgehead

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

Comments on bridgehead

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