last-ditch

1 of 2

adjective

ˈlas(t)-ˌdich 

-ˈdich

1

: fought or conducted from the last ditch : waged with desperation or unyielding defiance

put up a last-ditch resistance

2

: made as a final effort especially to avert disaster

a last-ditch attempt to raise the money

last ditch

2 of 2

noun

: a place of final defense or resort

Examples of last-ditch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Preece instead has embraced the frenzy of racing around his roots as a rallying point for his last-ditch charge at the Chase. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Mission specialists were still determined to mount a last-ditch rescue effort. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

Past that, analysts emphasized last ditch efforts to get the Clarity Act approved. — Charles Lloyd Bovaird Ii, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

But his last ditch attempt to flee to safety would fail. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1706, in the meaning defined above