bridgehead
Americannoun
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a position held or to be gained on the enemy side of a river, defile, or other obstacle, to cover the crossing of friendly troops.
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any position gained that can be used as a foothold for further advancement; beachhead.
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a defensive work covering or protecting the end of a bridge toward the enemy.
noun
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an area of ground secured or to be taken on the enemy's side of an obstacle, esp a defended river
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a fortified or defensive position at the end of a bridge nearest to the enemy
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an advantageous position gained for future expansion
Etymology
Origin of bridgehead
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.
Beijing eclipsed Germany as Hungary’s most active foreign investor in recent years, turning the country of 9.6 million into its European bridgehead for advanced manufacturing.
From Barron's ● Apr. 17, 2026
He was a bridgehead to Labour's traditional working class roots who saw the value in, and indeed personified, championing the aspirations of the less well off.
From BBC ● Nov. 21, 2024
Skif knew he first had to plan and persuade the generals that if his men could secure a bridgehead – a strategic crossing point – it would be worthwhile to send troops.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 25, 2023
If Ukrainian forces succeeded in crossing the river and establishing a secure bridgehead on the east bank, it would represent a major advance.
From Reuters ● Nov. 13, 2023
The German coastal batteries were destroyed even before the landing; a small bridgehead has already been formed.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
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.
