Meaning & use
entrenchments
Last updated
“entrenchments” is a form of “entrenchment”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Long narrow holes dug in the ground to protect soldiers from enemy fire.
Grammar: Almost always plural; the singular 'entrenchment' is rare and usually refers to the act of digging such defenses.
Patterns
- dig entrenchments
- enemy entrenchments
- behind the entrenchments
The soldiers spent the night digging entrenchments along the ridge.
From their entrenchments, the troops could see the enemy approaching across the open field.
The old entrenchments are still visible on the hillside today.
nouncountablefigurative
A strong official position or attitude that is firmly established and difficult to change.
Grammar: Often used in political or business contexts; usually followed by 'of' to show what is entrenched.
Patterns
- entrenchments of power
- break down entrenchments
- entrenchments in society
The reform aimed to break down the entrenchments of the old ruling class.
There are deep entrenchments of privilege in the education system.
The company's entrenchments made it hard for new ideas to be heard.
Word forms
| singular | entrenchment |
|---|
Common combinations
- dig entrenchments
- The engineers were ordered to dig entrenchments before dawn.
- enemy entrenchments
- The attack was aimed at the enemy entrenchments on the hill.
- behind the entrenchments
- The wounded were kept behind the entrenchments for safety.
- entrenchments of power
- The journalist wrote about the entrenchments of power in the capital.
Synonyms and how they differ
- trenches
- More common in everyday speech and often refers to the same kind of defensive ditches, but 'trenches' can also mean any long narrow ditch.
- fortifications
- A broader term for military defenses, including walls and bunkers, not just dug holes.
Word family
- entrench verb
- To establish something firmly or dig a trench for defense.
- entrenched adjective
- Firmly established and unlikely to change.
Commonly confused: entrenchments or intrenchments?
entrenchments vs intrenchments
An old-fashioned spelling of the same word; 'entrenchments' is now standard.
Practice
The soldiers dug deep __________ to protect themselves from enemy fire.
Choose one answer.
The plural 'entrenchments' is the usual form for the physical defensive holes. 'Entrenchment' (singular) is rare and often means the act of digging, not the holes themselves.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “entrenchments”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.