trench Definition

trench
noun trenches

1. A long narrow ditch in the ground.

Thesaurus: ditch, channel, gullet, drain, furrow, trough, pit, gully, gulch (US).
2a. military.
A large scale version of this where the earth thrown up by the excavations is used to form a parapet to protect soldiers from enemy fire, shells, etc and which often incorporates rudimentary living quarters;
2b. military.
A series of these that forms a defensive system.
Form: trenches
3. A long narrow steep-sided depression in the floor of an ocean, especially one that runs parallel to a continent.

verb trenches, trenched, trenching

1. To dig a trench or trenches.
2. To excavate a trench as fortification.
3. To come near, verge on or encroach.

Form: trench on (usually)
Form: trench onto

Etymology: 14c: from French trenche a cut.