trench warfare

noun

1. combat in which each side occupies a system of protective trenches.

trench warfare

noun

1. a type of warfare in which opposing armies face each other in entrenched positions

trench warfare

1. Warfare marked by slow wearing down of the opposing forces and piecemeal gains at heavy cost. The term applies especially to World War I .

Word History and Origins

Origin of trench warfare¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

The funny thing is that until recently I had assumed that the contest was going to be political trench warfare again and the result would be very close.

From Salon

“Then all bets are off … It will be battling ballot-by-ballot, trench warfare.”

From Los Angeles Times

Under the stress of trench warfare, some soldiers seemed to suffer nervous breakdowns, a condition that became known as shell shock.

From Literature

Many Ukrainians fear that, if drafted, they will be sent straight into trench warfare without much training.

From New York Times

“Too many leaders have made the calculation that this cost is acceptable so that partisan trench warfare can be waged. That’s not just a failure of leadership; it’s a failure to be humane.”

From Seattle Times