bridgehead

American  

[brij-hed] / ˈbrɪdʒˌhɛd /

noun

1. 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.

2. any position gained that can be used as a foothold for further advancement; beachhead.

3. a defensive work covering or protecting the end of a bridge toward the enemy.

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bridgehead British  

/ ˈbrɪdʒˌhɛd /

noun

1. an area of ground secured or to be taken on the enemy's side of an obstacle, esp a defended river

2. a fortified or defensive position at the end of a bridge nearest to the enemy

3. an advantageous position gained for future expansion

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Etymology

Origin of bridgehead

First recorded in 1805–15; bridge ¹ + head

Example Sentences

Mr. Putin hoped to use the wider Kherson region as a bridgehead for a drive farther west, to the port city of Odesa, but that effort failed.

From New York Times

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia had hoped to use the wider Kherson region as a bridgehead for a drive farther west, to the port city of Odesa, but that failed.

From New York Times

With control of the Dnipro's west bank, military experts said, Ukrainian forces would have a springboard from which to seize a bridgehead on the east side for an advance on Crimea.

From Reuters

"It's clear the loss of Kherson and the Kherson bridgehead will have consequences for Russia's image and will be viewed negatively inside Russia," he said.

From Reuters

British military intelligence, which helps Ukraine, said it was likely that Ukrainian forces had also established a bridgehead south of a river that runs along the region's northern border.

From Reuters