Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

entrenchment

American  
[en-trench-muhnt] / ɛnˈtrɛntʃ mənt /

noun

  1. the act of entrenching.

  2. an entrenched position.

  3. Usually entrenchments. an earth breastwork or ditch for protection against enemy fire.

entrenchment British  
/ ɪnˈtrɛntʃmənt /

noun

  1. the act of entrenching or state of being entrenched

  2. a position protected by trenches

  3. one of a series of deep trenches constructed as a shelter from gunfire

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of entrenchment

First recorded in 1580–90; entrench + -ment

Vocabulary lists containing entrenchment

Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 3)

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Outpost and Entrenchment, Southern Fort, Mafeking As before said, continual sorties took place, and Colonel Baden-Powell succeeded in capturing mules and horses from the enemy and generally harassing him.

From South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 3 (of 6) From the Battle of Colenso, 15th Dec. 1899, to Lord Roberts's Advance into the Free State, 12th Feb. 1900 by Creswicke, Louis

In the Anglo-Norman ballad, "The Entrenchment of New Ross"—in 1265—allusion is made to pipes and flutes, and carols and dancing.

From The Glories of Ireland by Lennox, P. J.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.