Meaning

A long, narrow ditch or hole dug in the ground..

Definitions by Sense

1. A long, narrow ditch or hole dug in the ground.
2. (military) A narrow excavation as used in warfare, as a cover for besieging or emplaced forces.
3. (archaeology) A pit, usually rectangular with smooth walls and floor, excavated during an archaeological investigation.
4. (informal) A trench coat.
5. (usually followed by upon) To invade, especially with regard to the rights or the exclusive authority of another; to encroach.
6. (military, infantry) To excavate an elongated pit for protection of soldiers and or equipment, usually perpendicular to the line of sight toward the enemy.
7. (archaeology) To excavate an elongated and often narrow pit.
8. To have direction; to aim or tend.

Example Sentences

The trenches for installing the underground cables were dug with a trencher.

The milling action of the bucket line enables the trencher to cut through difficult materials, such as stone rubble and brick filling, and to leave a good trench with clean side walls.

Figure 114 shows how pegs driven into the bottom of a foundation trench to establish a horizontal level for the concreter to work to, can be levelled with a boning rod held upright on the pages at either end of the trench.

The soldiers in the trenches rely on logistical support.

Following in the tank's wake, the cameliers reached the first line of Turkish trenches, where they confronted a handful of Ottoman soldiers too wounded to retreat.

I was the first person in my high school to wear a trench and fedora constantly, and Ben was one of the first to wear a black trench.

A classic trench can work in any kind of weather and goes well with almost anything.

Shee is the Judge, Thou Executioner, Or if thou needs would'st trench upon her power, Thou mightst have yet enjoy'd thy crueltie, With some more thrift, and more varietie.

Word Forms

• trenches
• trenching
• trenched

Synonyms for trench

Related Words

When Should You Use Trench?

Use trench when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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