noun
Uncommon
trench
TREHNCH
Trench (noun) means a long, narrow ditch dug into the ground, whether by machines, tools, or natural erosion. Example: “Workers dug a trench to lay the new water pipe.”
noun
1
A long, narrow ditch dug into the ground, whether by machines, tools, or natural erosion.
"Workers dug a trench to lay the new water pipe."
"Heavy rain had carved a deep trench along the edge of the footpath."
"The gardener dug a narrow trench and planted the bean seedlings along it."
2
A deep, narrow defensive ditch used by soldiers in war.
"Soldiers spent months living in the trenches during the war."
"The museum has a reconstructed trench that shows how soldiers lived and slept."
"He read his great-grandfather's letters describing life in a muddy trench."
verb
1
To dig a long narrow ditch.
"The crew trenched along the field to install drainage."
"We trenched across the lawn to bury the cable underground."
"The farmers trench the field every autumn so the water can drain away."
How to use trench
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA long narrow ditch — either a practical one dug for pipes or drainage, or a defensive one dug by soldiers.
Common pairings
dig a trench
trench warfare
in the trenches
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Word forms
- Plural
- trenches
- Third person singular
- trenches
- Past tense
- trenched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Workers dug a _____ to lay the new water pipe.
Etymology
Borrowed from Old French trenche, from trenchier, "to cut" — the same French root that gave English trench also produced trench coat and, distantly, truncate.
Related words
Rhymes for trench
See all rhymes for trench →Frequently asked questions
What does “trench” mean?
The word “trench” means a long, narrow ditch dug into the ground, whether by machines, tools, or natural erosion. In plain terms, a long narrow ditch — either a practical one dug for pipes or drainage, or a defensive one dug by soldiers.
How do you pronounce “trench”?
“Trench” is pronounced TREHNCH (/ˈtɹɛnt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “trench” in a sentence?
Here is “trench” used in a sentence: “Workers dug a trench to lay the new water pipe.”
What part of speech is “trench”?
Depending on how it is used, “trench” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “trench” come from?
The word “trench” comes from Old French. Borrowed from Old French trenche, from trenchier, "to cut" — the same French root that gave English trench also produced trench coat and, distantly, truncate.
Is “trench” a common word?
“Trench” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “trench” have?
“Trench” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long, narrow ditch dug into the ground, whether by machines, tools, or natural erosion.
What is the difference between a trench and a ditch?
A trench is generally a long, narrow excavation, which can be dug by machines, tools, or natural erosion, and is often associated with military defense or utility work, while a ditch usually refers to a simpler channel dug for drainage. In military contexts specifically, a trench is a deep, narrow defensive excavation used by soldiers in war, a sense a plain ditch does not carry.
How is trench used as a verb?
As a verb, to trench means to dig a long, narrow ditch, as in 'workers trenched the field to lay new pipes.' This usage is common in construction, agriculture, and utility work.
What does 'trench warfare' refer to?
Trench warfare refers to a style of combat built around deep, narrow defensive ditches dug by soldiers, historically associated with static, dug-in fighting positions. The term draws directly on the military sense of trench as a defensive excavation used in war.
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