dig in

verb

dug in; digging in; digs in

transitive verb

1
: to cover or incorporate by burying
dig in compost
2
: to establish in a dug defensive position
the platoon was well dug in

intransitive verb

1
: to establish a defensive position especially by digging trenches
2
a
: to go resolutely to work
b
: to begin eating
3
: to hold stubbornly to a position
4
: to scuff the ground for better footing while batting (as in baseball)
Phrases
dig in one's heels
: to take or persist in an uncompromising position or attitude despite opposition

Examples of dig in 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.
Archaeologists in Turkey recently completed digs in the ancient city of Dülük in the Gaziantep Province of south-central Turkey, according to Anadolu Agency (AA). Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025 Cats seem to have the irresistible need to dig in them, making a mess, and sometimes even eat them. Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025 Senate Democrats have also dug in on their strategy, even as the shutdown has lasted nearly two weeks with no end in sight. Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2025 But that may just be leading Democrats to dig in. Al Weaver, The Hill, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dig in

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dig in was in 1827

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dig in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dig%20in. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

dig in

verb
1
: to dig and take position in a trench
the soldiers dug in
2
a
: to go to work
b
: to begin eating

More from Merriam-Webster on dig in

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