plural ditches
: a long narrow hole that is dug along a road, field, etc., and used to hold or move water
irrigation ditches
He drove the car into the ditch.
ditches; ditched; ditching
1
informal
: to stop having or using (something you no longer want or need) : to get rid of (something)
The thief ditched the purse in an alley.
They ditched the car in a vacant lot.
We've ditched [=abandoned] plans to open a café together.
2
informal
: to end a relationship with (someone)
His girlfriend ditched him. = He got ditched by his girlfriend.
The team's owner ditched [=fired, dismissed] the head coach.
3
US, informal
: to get away from (someone you do not want to be with) without saying that you are leaving
They ditched me at the concert.
4
US, informal
: to not go to (something, such as school, work, etc.)
Let's ditch [=skip] school today.
He ditched [=left, quit] school to join the army.
5
: to land an aircraft on water because of an emergency : to crash-land on water
Engine trouble forced the pilot to ditch.
He had to ditch the helicopter.
Cite this Entry
“Ditch.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/ditch. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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