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

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

From BBC

Meanwhile, Ukraine's surprise incursion into Russia's Kursk region is faltering.

From BBC

According to the Institute for the Study of War, a US non-profit, Russia had 11,000 troops in Kursk when Ukraine began its shock incursion in early August.

From BBC

The Israeli military gave limited details on the operation but said the unit involved was Shayetet 13, a marine commando unit specialising in sea-to-land incursions.

From BBC

The announcement comes as Ukraine continues to commit personnel for its incursion in the Kursk region of Russia, which started in August.

From BBC

Related Words

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