trench
noun
\ ˈtrench
\
\
Definition of trench
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a long cut in the ground : ditch
especially
: one used for military defense often with the excavated dirt thrown up in front
b
trenches plural
: a place, position, or level at which an activity is carried on in a manner likened to trench warfare
—often used in the phrase in the trenches activists working in the trenches
2
: a long, narrow, and usually steep-sided depression in the ocean floor — compare trough
3
: trench coat
trench
verb
trenched;
trenching;
trenches
Definition of trench (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to make a cut in : carve
2a
: to protect with or as if with a trench
b
: to cut a trench in : ditch
b
: to come close : verge
2
: to dig a trench
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Synonyms for trench
Synonyms: Noun
dike, ditch, fosse (or foss), gutter, sheugh [chiefly Scottish], trough
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Examples of trench in a Sentence
Noun
dug a trench and filled it with water in an attempt to keep the forest fire off her propertyRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
As for Texas, the biggest key on defense will be the battles in the trenches. — Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, "Texas keeping focus inward ahead of season opener," 30 Aug. 2019 The Auburn-Oregon game will be settled in the trenches. — oregonlive, "Saturday’s game against Auburn is a chance for Oregon coach Mario Cristobal to make good: Issues & Answers," 30 Aug. 2019 The Panthers went a perfect 13-0 en route to the Class 6A state title last season but graduated plenty from that team, particularly in the trenches. — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, "Surprise! RaJa Nelson quarterbacks Lakeville North past Woodbury," 29 Aug. 2019 Denison said after the game that the offensive line won the battle in the trenches to sway the game. — David J. Kim, The Courier-Journal, "What to know about each of the Week 2 Southern Indiana football games," 28 Aug. 2019 Otto, a 10-time All-AFL selection and Pro Football Hall of Famer, played 15 seasons at center for the Raiders, 223 consecutive games’ worth of bashing and banging in the trenches. — SI.com, "A History of Football in 100 Objects," 28 Aug. 2019 This is as tough a cross-over game as the Wolverines could ask for — Iowa has several stars in the trenches in offensive tackles Tristan Wirfs and Alaric Jackson (Detroit Renaissance) and defensive end A.J. Epenesa. — Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan Wolverines football 2019 game-by-game predictions," 25 Aug. 2019 His comrades in the trenches called themselves anarchists. — David Pryce-jones, National Review, "The Cold War of Words," 22 Aug. 2019 There were other cases, too, especially among the linemen during one-on-one trench battles. — Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, "Tom Brady declares: ‘I’m never coaching’," 15 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The estimated cost of trenching the railroad tracks is $441 million. — Melissa Yeager, azcentral, "Sky Harbor Airport's $5.7 billion, 20-year plan: Double the capacity, add 'bus gates'," 7 Jan. 2019 If the active layer of insulation is disturbed during construction (i.e., trenching), permafrost could be vulnerable to thermokarst and subsidence during the summer due to exposure to higher temperatures. — Author: Elwood Brehmer, Anchorage Daily News, "Army Corps releases final EIS for in-state Alaska gasline," 24 June 2018 Many of Sunoco’s problems are related to its use of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) to install large sections of the Mariner East 2 pipeline, which was supposed to avoid the disruptions of conventional open-trenching construction method. — Andrew Maykuth, Philly.com, "Sunoco will temporarily relocate residents while it conducts pipeline sinkhole study," 2 Apr. 2018 Still in the plan is the suggestion to trench the downtown railroad tracks. — Phil Diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "More walking, less parking in Carlsbad's latest Village-Barrio plan," 7 Feb. 2018 That idea also is being studied for Carlsbad, where a recent study estimated the cost of trenching at a minimum of $224 million, but with long-term economic benefits in the billions. — Phil Diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Work starts soon on Oceanside 'quiet zone'," 18 Aug. 2017 Gas lines will be relocated starting July 20 and the earth retention contractor will mobilize on the site and begin trenching the week of July 24. — Kimberly Fornek, chicagotribune.com, "Hinsdale Middle School construction costs raise questions of village's share for parking deck," 17 July 2017 Over the years, human remains have been found nearby, most recently those of five individuals uncovered during trenching work last year on another project immediately across Fourth Street. — Tom Lochner, The Mercury News, "Berkeley Shellmound EIR prompts call for do-over from landmarks commission," 8 Feb. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trench.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for trench
trench
noun
English Language Learners Definition of trench
: a long, narrow hole that is dug in the ground
: a deep, narrow hole in the ground that is used as protection for soldiers
: a long, narrow hole in the ocean floor
See the full definition for trench in the English Language Learners Dictionary
trench
noun
\ ˈtrench
\
\
Kids Definition of trench
: a long narrow ditch
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