Definition

1. Noun:
   • A defensive military position at the end of a bridge closest to enemy forces: A fortified point established to protect a bridge from enemy attack.
   • An area of hostile territory captured and held to secure a crossing point or to allow the buildup of troops and supplies for further advance: A strategic foothold established on the enemy's side of a natural or man-made obstacle, such as a river.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The soldiers fought bravely to defend the bridgehead against the counterattack.
  • Securing a bridgehead across the river was the first critical objective of the campaign.
  • The general ordered reinforcements to expand the bridgehead.

Advanced Usage

• "To establish a bridgehead": To successfully capture and secure an initial position in enemy territory.
  • The allies aimed to establish a bridgehead on the Normandy coast.
• "To secure a bridgehead": To consolidate control over a captured position to make it defensible for further operations.
  • Their primary mission was to secure the bridgehead before the enemy could regroup.

Variants and Related Words

• Foothold (n): A secure initial position for further advancement, often used in similar military or metaphorical contexts.
  • The company gained a foothold in the Asian market.
• Beachhead (n): A specifically maritime equivalent; a position on a beach captured from the enemy to allow landing of troops and material.
  • The invasion began with establishing a beachhead at dawn.

Synonyms

• Strongpoint: A heavily fortified defensive position.
• Enclave: A territory surrounded by a larger hostile territory, though this is more general and not exclusively military.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "A bridgehead for further operations": A common phrase describing the role of a bridgehead as a launching point.
  • The captured town served as a bridgehead for further operations into the heart of the region.

Noun

1. a defensive post at the end of a bridge nearest to the enemy
2. an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies
   • an attempt to secure a bridgehead behind enemy lines
   • the only foothold left for British troops in Europe was Gibraltar