ditch

noun \ ˈdich \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of ditch

: a long narrow excavation dug in the earth (as for drainage)

See ditch defined for English-language learners

See ditch defined for kids

Examples of ditch in a Sentence

He drove the car into the ditch.
after skidding on the ice, our car went right into the ditch

Recent Examples of ditch from the Web

Key figure: Alonzo Mourning, who the Nets signed that summer in a last-ditch effort to convince Kidd to stay in New Jersey.

— mike finger, San Antonio Express-News, "With almost two decades of near-misses, Spurs’ streak was a marvel," 9 Apr. 2018
The White House billed the National Guard move as a last-ditch step to stem a torrent of people and drugs across the border in the face of congressional inaction.

— stephen collinson, CNN, "Border crisis is Trump's latest war on straw men," 6 Apr. 2018
Despite a last-ditch effort, neither aircraft nor a Mexican research vessel succeeded in finding Bermeja.

— a. roger ekirch, WSJ, "‘The Phantom Atlas’ Review: Maps With Gaps," 5 Apr. 2018
There was one last-ditch hope: CLCC, a Belgian investment firm that Sternberg had met with early on.

— sam schube, GQ, "Scott Sternberg on His New Line, His Exit from Band of Outsiders, and Making Clothes for the Entire World," 4 Apr. 2018
Most recently, in a last-ditch effort, two psychics were brought into the operation.

— john tuohy, Indianapolis Star, "Doggy psychics called after Noblesville poodle rescued from puppy mill goes missing," 2 Apr. 2018
After a short chase his car crashed into a ditch off of Railroad Avenue near La. 1077 in Goodbee, and deputies and the man exchanged gunfire.

— bob warren, NOLA.com, "Deputy shot in St. Tammany Parish is expected to make full recovery, sheriff says," 1 Apr. 2018
McQuiston’s wife had filed for divorce the day before the shootings and her husband was making a last-ditch effort for reconciliation, the defense attorney said.

— cathy locke, sacbee, "What happened to man accused of killing his wife and daughters in 1969? | The Sacramento Bee," 30 Mar. 2018
House members quickly rolled through the few remaining bills, pausing briefly to debate a last-ditch effort made by Democratic members over providing family planning services to low-income women.

— kimberlee kruesi, idahostatesman, "Idaho lawmakers near adjournment under new rules | Idaho Statesman," 22 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ditch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ditch

Middle English dich, from Old English dīc dike, ditch; akin to Middle High German tīch pond, dike

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

ditch Synonyms

Synonyms

dike, gutter, trench, trough;

Related Words

culvert, drain, draw, gully (also gulley), ravine;

drill, furrow;

Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, ballast, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice

ditch

verb

Definition of ditch

transitive verb

1 a : to surround with a long narrow cavity in the earth : to enclose with a ditch (see ¹ditch)

The pasture was hedged and ditched.

b : to dig a ditch in

2 aviation : to make a forced landing of (an airplane) on water

successfully ditched the plane

3 a : to get rid of : discard

ditch an old car

had to ditch their plan

b : to end association with : leave

ditched school

His girlfriend ditched him.

intransitive verb

1 : to dig a ditch

2 aviation : to crash-land at sea

See ditch defined for English-language learners

Examples of ditch in a Sentence

The thief ditched the purse in an alley.
They ditched the car in a vacant lot.
They ditched me at the concert.

Recent Examples of ditch from the Web

Harris and Neal eventually ditched the car at the Malibu Condominiums on South Atlantic Avenue and were captured shortly after, according to the report.

— isabelle d'antonio, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Volusia deputies catch fleeing armed-robbery suspects," 12 Apr. 2018
At the same time, the administration is not ditching the rules entirely.

— michael holtz, The Christian Science Monitor, "US versus China: How a tussle for advantage fuels risk of a trade war," 12 Apr. 2018
However, the data hints that places like infectious disease research facilities and healthcare settings may just want to ditch the dryers and turn to trusty towels.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Hot-air dryers suck in nasty bathroom bacteria and shoot them at your hands," 6 Apr. 2018
After a two year development period, the Army is upgrading half of the Second Cavalry Regiment’s Strykers to the new Dragoon standard, which ditches the machine gun and replaces it with a potent, rapid-fire 30-millimeter cannon.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "This New Cannon Could Equip All Kinds of Different Army Combat Vehicles," 28 Mar. 2018
For example, African nations have long been a battle ground for China and Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, with Beijing providing aid and economic deals to nations which ditch Taipei and recognize the People's Republic of China instead.

— jenni marsh, CNN, "Free gift? China extends influence in Africa with $32M grant for regional HQ," 27 Mar. 2018
All that most people, including Wade, want to do is strap on a headset, ditch their ponderous existence, and enter a virtual realm, known as the Oasis.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "“Ready Player One” and “Lean on Pete”," 24 Mar. 2018
That time Marlon Brando ditched the party: A look back at what else happened when actor George Murphy was asked to stage the then-new post-Oscars dinner dance for the nominees.

— ray rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, "What Matters in Hollywood Today," 1 Mar. 2018
Anchorage plow trucks trying to clear residential streets quickly ditched the usual tandem formation and went to single file as residents wondered when they'd get plowed out.

— zaz hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "Huge weather system hammered Alaska with snow, wind – even thundersnow," 27 Feb. 2018

Origin and Etymology of ditch

see ¹ditch

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

ditch Synonyms

Phrases

dispose of, set aside;

DITCH Defined for English Language Learners

ditch

noun

Definition of ditch for English Language Learners

: a long narrow hole that is dug along a road, field, etc., and used to hold or move water

ditch

verb

Definition of ditch for English Language Learners

: to stop having or using (something you no longer want or need) : to get rid of (something)
: to end a relationship with (someone)
: to get away from (someone you do not want to be with) without saying that you are leaving