incursion

[ in-kur-zhuhn, -shuhn ]

noun

1. a hostile entrance into or invasion of a place or territory, especially a sudden one; raid:

   The bandits made brief incursions on the village.

   Synonyms: attack, foray, sortie

2. a harmful inroad.
3. a running in:

   the incursion of sea water.

incursion

/ ɪnˈkɜːsɪv; ɪnˈkɜːʃən /

noun

1. a sudden invasion, attack, or raid
2. the act of running or leaking into; penetration

Derived Forms

• incursive, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of incursion¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin incursiōn- (stem of incursiō ) raid, equivalent to incurs ( us ) (past participle of incurrere to incur ) + -iōn- -ion; excursion

Word History and Origins

Origin of incursion¹

C15: from Latin incursiō onset, attack, from incurrere to run into; see incur

Example Sentences

Defence sources have told the BBC that suspicion had fallen on a "state actor" being responsible for the incursions.

From BBC

The government has warned that those behind recent drone incursions over US airbases will be "shown the full force of the law".

From BBC

“To date, installation leaders have determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities or assets,” the statement added.

From New York Times

Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into the Russian region on 6 August and still holds territory there.

From BBC

Ukraine's surprise incursion into Russia's Kursk region is faltering as Russian troops have pushed Kyiv's offensive backwards.

From BBC

Related Words

• aggression
• attack
• foray
• infiltration
• inroad
• intrusion
• penetration
• raid