ditch

1 of 2

noun

ˈdich 

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

ditch

2 of 2

verb

ditched; ditching; ditches

transitive verb

1

a

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

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

Synonyms

Noun

• dike
• fosse
• foss
• gutter
• sheugh [chiefly Scottish]
• trench
• trough

Verb

• blow off
• break off (with)
• dump
• jilt
• kiss off
• leave

Examples of ditch in a Sentence

Noun

He drove the car into the ditch.

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

Verb

The thief ditched the purse in an alley.

They ditched the car in a vacant lot.

They ditched me at the concert.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Excessive rainfall may flood roadside ditches causing debris to be washed onto the highway. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025

Her friend slammed the brakes, and the vehicle skidded into a ditch, then flipped. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025

Verb

The former Victoria's Secret model ditched her lace bodysuit in a few wedding photos, and later changed into a strapless gown designed by Galia Lahav for her reception. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 23 June 2025

Microsoft and Google have warned users for some time now to ditch passwords for passkeys. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing ditch

• last ditch

Rhymes for ditch

• bitch
• fiche
• glitch
• hitch
• ich
• itch
• kitsch
• lich
• mitch
• niche
• pitch
• snitch

Kids Definition

ditch

1 of 2 noun

ˈdich 

: a long narrow channel or trench dug in the earth

ditch

2 of 2 verb

1

: to dig a ditch in or around

2

a

: to get rid of : discard

ditch an old car

b

: to end association with : leave

his girlfriend ditched him

3

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