infiltration

American  

[in-fil-trey-shuhn] / ˌɪn fɪlˈtreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of infiltrating.

2. the state of being infiltrated.

3. something that infiltrates; an infiltrate.

4. Military.

   1. a method of attack in which small bodies of soldiers or individual soldiers penetrate the enemy's line at weak or unguarded points in order to assemble behind the enemy position and attack it from the rear, harass enemy rear-area installations, etc.

   2. a system of transporting troops or vehicles at extended and irregular intervals so as to avoid enemy observation or attack, especially from the air.

5. Geology. the seepage of water into soil or rock.

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Other Word Forms

• reinfiltration noun

Etymology

Origin of infiltration

First recorded in 1790–1800; infiltrate + -ion

Example Sentences

Analysts estimate the area is smaller and that Ukraine has mainly cleared the area of Russian infiltration teams.

From The Wall Street Journal

One tactic was by far the most effective: infiltration.

From Salon

A Ukrainian military spokesman responsible for the southern front said the operations there aimed to repel the Russian infiltration groups from Ukrainian villages and were a part of defense maneuvers.

From The Wall Street Journal

California banned phones in public school classrooms beginning in January, largely in response to the infiltration of social media.

From Los Angeles Times

His brigade is building up its midrange drone capabilities to hit Russian forces at up to 15 miles behind the front line, before they can launch infiltration attempts, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• aggression
• assault
• breach
• incursion
• infringement
• intrusion
• offensive
• onslaught
• raid
• violation