trench warfare

American  

noun

1. combat in which each side occupies a system of protective trenches.

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trench warfare British  

noun

1. a type of warfare in which opposing armies face each other in entrenched positions

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trench warfare Cultural  

1. Warfare marked by slow wearing down of the opposing forces and piecemeal gains at heavy cost. The term applies especially to World War I.

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Etymology

Origin of trench warfare

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trench warfare

His contention that bombing industrial centers would lead to a speedy victory was seen by many as a response to World War I, and the long slog of trench warfare.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 9, 2026

It was fought over several days in September 1914 and halted the German's advance on Paris, but was followed by years of trench warfare.

From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2025

Defenders typically have advantages over attackers in trench warfare, and the Russian army has had months to dig in.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 8, 2023

But after 5,000 editorials and years of journalistic trench warfare, Mr. Carter took his fight into politics.

From New York Times ● May 12, 2023

He said he solved one of the great problems of trench warfare.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt