dig in

verb

dug in; digging in; digs in
Synonyms of dig innext

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
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.
While the narrative of that contest ended positively as Everton dug in for a rare victory at Old Trafford, there was a sting in the tail. Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026 Someone strong, but not dug in. Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026 The square Edelman and fellow students dug in, after determining the spot might yield interesting relics, did produce tiles, pieces of ceramic and more. Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2026 Avoid digging in your heels simply to feel secure. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dig in

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dig in was in 1530

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dig in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dig%20in. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

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

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