bridgehead

[brij-hed]

noun

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.
any position gained that can be used as a foothold for further advancement; beachhead.
a defensive work covering or protecting the end of a bridge toward the enemy.

Origin of bridgehead

First recorded in 1805–15; bridge¹ + head

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for bridgehead

Historical Examples of bridgehead

In that case a clear road for retirement to a bridgehead would be open.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume 2
Ian Hamilton
Worth had now been attacking the bridgehead for half an hour or more.
The War With Mexico, Volume II (of 2)
Justin H. Smith
They are going to attempt to set up a bridgehead on British soil.
Dave Dawson with the R.A.F
R. Sidney Bowen
To avoid useless loss of men, he withdrew the garrison from the bridgehead.
Carry On!
Herbert Strang
The man with the lantern at the bridgehead at Brod did not know that he held the destiny of Europe in his hand.
The Secret Witness
George Gibbs

British Dictionary definitions for bridgehead

bridgehead

noun military

an area of ground secured or to be taken on the enemy's side of an obstacle, esp a defended river
a fortified or defensive position at the end of a bridge nearest to the enemy
an advantageous position gained for future expansion

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