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)

see also:

dig in one's heels

Examples of dig in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Quick bites → This 10-pound Easter treat comes with a hefty price tag and a surprising way to dig in. —Staff, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026

If and when a new CDC director nominee is named, and if that individual manages to win confirmation from a Senate that is showing itself increasingly willing to dig in its heels on presidential appointments, the hard work will just be starting. —Helen Branswell, STAT, 30 Mar. 2026

The underwater setting preserved a collection of species that surface-level digs in the region have missed for decades. —Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026

Let’s dig in and take a closer look at the other important events on our radar. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for dig in

• trigone

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