trench

• Nom désignant une longue tranchée étroite creusée pour des fortifications militaires, ou une dépression naturelle en forme de fosse au fond de l'océan.

A noun referring to a long, narrow ditch, either dug for military fortification or naturally occurring as a depression in the ocean floor.

1. Military fortificationB2formal

   A long, narrow ditch dug in the ground, typically with a raised bank of earth, used as a shelter or defensive position in warfare.

   Tranchée militaire

   • The soldiers dug a trench to protect themselves from enemy fire.
   • Life in the trenches during the war was extremely harsh.
   • The general ordered the construction of a new trench line.

   Synonymesditchdugoutearthworkentrenchmentfossefoxhole

2. Oceanic depressionC1formalscientific

   A long, steep-sided, narrow depression on the ocean floor, often the deepest part of an ocean basin.

   Fosse océanique

   • The Mariana Trench is the deepest known part of the world's oceans.
   • Scientists are exploring the unique life forms found in deep-sea trenches.
   • The trench was formed by the subduction of tectonic plates.

   Synonymesabyssdeeptrough

3. General ditchB1formal

   Any long, narrow ditch cut into the ground, often used for drainage, laying pipes, or other practical purposes.

   tranchée

   • Workers dug a trench to lay the water pipes.
   • A trench was cut along the side of the road for drainage.
   • They filled the trench with gravel after installing the cables.

   Synonymeschannelcutditchdrainexcavationfurrowguttertrough

   Antonymesbankelevationembankmentmoundridgerise

• Creuser une tranchée, c'est-à-dire une excavation longue et étroite, ou s'enfoncer profondément dans quelque chose ; utilisé surtout dans les contextes militaire, de construction ou géologique.

A verb meaning to dig a long, narrow ditch or to cut into something deeply, often used in military, construction, or geological contexts.

1. Encroach or InfringeC1formal

   To intrude upon or violate someone's rights, territory, or boundaries.

   Empiéter sur

   • The new law should not trench upon the fundamental rights of citizens.
   • His actions trenched upon the privacy of his neighbors.
   • The company's expansion trenched on protected land.

   Synonymesencroachimpingeinfringeintrudeinvadetrespass

   Antonymeshonorobeyobserverespect

2. Fortify with TrenchesB2formal

   To surround or protect a position by digging ditches, typically for military defense.

   Retrancher

   • The soldiers trenched the perimeter to defend against the attack.
   • They trenched the camp to secure it from enemy fire.
   • The army trenched the hilltop before the battle.

   Synonymesdig inentrenchintrench

3. Cut or Carve DeeplyC1formal

   To cut or carve a deep groove or mark into a surface.

   Creuser profondément

   • The river trenched a deep channel through the valley.
   • Time had trenched deep lines into his face.
   • The sculptor trenched intricate patterns into the stone.

   Synonymescarvechannelcutexcavatefurrowgrooveincisescoop

4. Plant or Bury in a TrenchB2formal

   To set, plant, or bury something in a long, narrow ditch.

   Planter ou enterrer dans une tranchée

   • The gardener trenched the bulbs for the winter.
   • They trenched the pipes to lay the new water line.
   • The farmer trenched the seeds in the prepared soil.

5. Dig a Drainage TrenchB2formal

   To cut a long, narrow ditch in the ground, typically for drainage purposes.

   Creuser une tranchée de drainage

   • The workers trenched the field to improve water runoff.
   • He trenched around the foundation to prevent flooding.
   • The crew trenched the area to install a drainage system.

   Synonymeschannelcutdigditchexcavatefurrow

   Antonymesburycoverfillflattenlevelsmooth

6. Dig TrenchesB2formal

   To dig a long, narrow ditch or series of ditches, often for military or construction purposes.

   Creuser des tranchées

   • The soldiers trenched all night to prepare the defensive line.
   • They trenched the site to lay the foundation for the building.
   • The team trenched the area to bury the cables.

   Synonymesdigditchentrenchexcavatefurrowhollow