incursion

noun

in·​cur·​sion in-ˈkər-zhən 

1

: a hostile entrance into a territory : raid

2

: an entering in or into (something, such as an activity or undertaking)

his only incursion into the arts

Synonyms

• invasion
• raid

Examples of incursion in a Sentence

an incursion into enemy airspace

there were incursions from the border every summer

Recent Examples on the Web

European aviation has repeatedly been thrown into chaos in recent weeks by drone sightings and air incursions, including at airports in Copenhagen and Munich. —CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025

But the remarks follow Russian drone incursions into Poland as well as Russian fighter jets violating Estonian airspace, forcing NATO to intercept them. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025

At a summit in Copenhagen this week, European Union leaders pledged to step up cooperation against drone incursions and coordinate air defense measures. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

The sightings follow a series of Russian incursions into NATO airspace, but Moscow denied responsibility for the Munich drones. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin incursion-, incursio, from incurrere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for incursion

• aspersion
• aversion
• conversion
• dispersion
• diversion
• eversion
• excursion
• immersion
• inversion
• perversion
• recursion
• reversion

Kids Definition

incursion

noun

in·​cur·​sion in-ˈkər-zhən 

: a sudden usually temporary invasion : raid