bridgehead
noun
bridge·head
ˈbrij-ˌhed 
1
a
: 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
Examples of bridgehead in a Sentence
established a bridgehead on the beach before beginning the land invasion
Recent Examples on the Web
The British military intelligence agency said that the Ukrainians have managed to hold a small bridgehead across the river since early June.
—
Marc Santora, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2023
The Sherman’s finest hour came during the breakout from the Normandy bridgehead in July 1944.
—Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2023
By the end of June, Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade eliminated a Russian bridgehead on the western bank of the Siverskyi-Donets-Donbas canal, its commander reported on Telegram.
—Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 9 July 2023
Chinese pioneers Zhejiang Geely Holding Group’s Polestar, SAIC’s MG and BYD, are have already established bridgeheads in Europe.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023
Still, the Russians had their bridgehead.
—Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2022
The Ukrainian 35th Marine Brigade, marching south from its bridgehead on the left bank of the Inhulets River, has been trying to hasten the Russian retreat—and potentially encircle any Russian stragglers.
—David Axe, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2022
Chinese electric car makers have already established a bridgehead in Europe, tempted by high prices, and the companies are set to engage a higher gear.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022
The advance near Kharkiv comes a week after Ukraine launched an offensive in the south, retaking several villages and expanding a bridgehead across the Inhulets River.
—James Marson, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022
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Marc Santora, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2023
The Sherman’s finest hour came during the breakout from the Normandy bridgehead in July 1944.
—Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2023
By the end of June, Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade eliminated a Russian bridgehead on the western bank of the Siverskyi-Donets-Donbas canal, its commander reported on Telegram.
—Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 9 July 2023
Chinese pioneers Zhejiang Geely Holding Group’s Polestar, SAIC’s MG and BYD, are have already established bridgeheads in Europe.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023
Still, the Russians had their bridgehead.
—Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2022
The Ukrainian 35th Marine Brigade, marching south from its bridgehead on the left bank of the Inhulets River, has been trying to hasten the Russian retreat—and potentially encircle any Russian stragglers.
—David Axe, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2022
Chinese electric car makers have already established a bridgehead in Europe, tempted by high prices, and the companies are set to engage a higher gear.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022
The advance near Kharkiv comes a week after Ukraine launched an offensive in the south, retaking several villages and expanding a bridgehead across the Inhulets River.
—James Marson, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bridgehead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near bridgehead
Cite this Entry
“Bridgehead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bridgehead. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
bridgehead
noun
bridge·head
ˈbrij-ˌhed
: a position seized in enemy territory as a place to begin a further advance
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