bridgehead

Meanings

Plural: bridgeheads

Noun

• 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"
• a defensive post at the end of a bridge nearest to the enemy
• An area around the end of a bridge.
• A fortification around the end of a bridge.
• An area of ground on the enemy's side of a river or other obstacle, especially one that needs to be taken and defended in order to secure an advance.
• Either of the two atoms in different parts of a molecule that are connected by a bridge of two or more other atoms

Synonyms

foothold

Related Words

airhead, beachhead, dibridgehead, railhead