What does "trenches" mean?

1. (military ditches) long, deep holes dug in the ground to protect soldiers during a war. 2. (the front lines of work) the place where the hardest, most practical work happens in a job or project.

How do you use "trenches"?

Usually used with the definite article 'the'.

trenches

US //ˈtɹɛntʃɪz// UK //tɹˈɛntʃɪz// trench·es

1 military ditches (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

long, deep holes dug in the ground to protect soldiers during a war.

deep, narrow excavations used as defensive fortifications in warfare, particularly associated with the static combat of World War I.

Example

Soldiers lived in the muddy trenches for months during the long winter of the war.

Example

The archaeological survey revealed a complex network of trenches that had remained largely undisturbed since the armistice was signed.
- ditches
- fortifications
- earthworks
2 the front lines of work (n.)
C1 Advanced Informal

the place where the hardest, most practical work happens in a job or project.

the front lines of a practical endeavour, where the most difficult or routine tasks are performed away from management or theory.

Example

After years in the trenches as a classroom teacher, she finally became a principal.

Example

The CEO spent a week working in the trenches of the customer service department to better understand the daily frustrations of the staff.

Usage

Usually used with the definite article 'the'.
- front lines
- coalface
- headquarters
- management

Last updated June 20, 2026