1
a
: 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
trenched; trenching; trenches
1
: to make a cut in : carve
2
a
: to protect with or as if with a trench
b
: to cut a trench in : ditch
1
2
: to dig a trench
Synonyms
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 property
Verb
that response trenches on outright rudeness
Recent Examples on the Web
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Design with Swales and Rain Gardens Swales, shallow trenches dug along the contour of a slope, can capture and redirect water, giving it time to absorb into the soil rather than running off.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
John Lockhart, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024
He is believed to remain at large in the vast warren of tunnels trenched beneath Gaza, moving frequently and possibly surrounded by hostages as human shields, US officials believe.
—Hira Humayun, CNN, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for trench 
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Noun
This is said to have involved training in artillery, unmanned aerial vehicles, and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Design with Swales and Rain Gardens Swales, shallow trenches dug along the contour of a slope, can capture and redirect water, giving it time to absorb into the soil rather than running off.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
These technologies have the potential to revolutionize city planning and civil engineering for physical infrastructure from bridges, roads and sewers to trenching fiber lines.
—John Lockhart, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024
He is believed to remain at large in the vast warren of tunnels trenched beneath Gaza, moving frequently and possibly surrounded by hostages as human shields, US officials believe.
—Hira Humayun, CNN, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for trench
Dictionary Entries Near trench
Cite this Entry
“Trench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trench. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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