raid

The word “raid” means a sudden attack or surprise incursion, often by armed forces or police. In plain terms, a surprise attack or sudden search, whether military, criminal, or by the police.

“Raid” is pronounced rayd (/ɹeɪd/ in IPA).

Here is “raid” used in a sentence: “Police carried out a dawn raid on the suspected drug den.”

Depending on how it is used, “raid” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “raid” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Old English. From the Scots word raid, going back to an Old English word for "a ride" or "expedition on horseback" — the same root as "road." The modern sense was revived by Walter Scott in the 19th century.

“Raid” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Raid” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden attack or surprise incursion, often by armed forces or police.

A raid is a sudden, brief, and targeted incursion, often aimed at a specific place before withdrawing. An attack is a broader term that can describe any hostile action, including sustained or large-scale assaults that a raid usually is not.

A raid is a quick, limited operation with a narrow objective, after which the raiders typically leave. An invasion is a large-scale operation intended to enter and occupy territory over a longer period.

A police raid is a sudden, unannounced entry into a premises to make arrests or search for evidence. It relies on surprise, which is why raids are often carried out early in the morning, sometimes called a 'dawn raid.'