trench

1 of 2

noun

ˈtrench 

1

a

: a long cut in the ground : ditch

especially : one used for military defense often with the excavated dirt thrown up in front

b

trenches plural : a place, position, or level at which an activity is carried on in a manner likened to trench warfare

—often used in the phrase in the trenches

activists working in the trenches

2

: a long, narrow, and usually steep-sided depression in the ocean floor compare trough

3

: trench coat

trench

2 of 2

verb

trenched; trenching; trenches

transitive verb

1

: to make a cut in : carve

2

a

: to protect with or as if with a trench

b

: to cut a trench in : ditch

intransitive verb

1

a

: entrench, encroach

… trenching on other domains which were more vital …

—Sir Winston Churchill

b

: to come close : verge

2

: to dig a trench

Synonyms of trench

Noun

• ditch
• gutter
• ravine

Verb

• touch (on)
• seem
• verge (on)
• resemble

Examples of trench in a Sentence

Noun

dug a trench and filled it with water in an attempt to keep the forest fire off her property

Verb

that response trenches on outright rudeness

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Team Veronica di Piante’s suit with Toteme’s red trench—a chic alternative to the camel trench, which reads just as timeless. —Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2026

Something like the Quince Cashmere-wool Classic Coat (or my favorite Buck Mason Wool Blanket Coat) will keep you warm while still delivering the same style points as a trench. —Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2026

Verb

There are a number of ways to divert excess water away from flower beds, like trenching, extending gutters, or installing a rain barrel. —Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026

Now we are advised a sewer repair project will require trenching across Bayside Lane at eight intersections and along the alley’s edge. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English trenche track cut through a wood, from Anglo-French, act of cutting, ditch, from trencher, trenchier to cut, probably from Vulgar Latin *trinicare to cut in three, from Latin trini three each — more at trine

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing trench

• slit trench
• trench coat
• trench fever
• trench foot
• trench mouth
• trench warfare

Rhymes for trench

• clench
• drench
• quench
• stench
• tench
• wench
• wrench
• entrench
• retrench
• workbench

Kids Definition

trench

noun

ˈtrench

1

a

: a long narrow cut in the ground : ditch

b

: a ditch protected by a bank of earth used to shelter soldiers

2

: a long narrow steep-sided depression in the ocean floor