bridgehead

Definition of Bridgehead in English :

1. bridgehead, foothold

an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies

Example Sentences:
'an attempt to secure a bridgehead behind enemy lines'
'the only foothold left for British troops in Europe was Gibraltar'

2. bridgehead

a defensive post at the end of a bridge nearest to the enemy

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Bridgehead

noun military

1.

an area of ground secured or to be taken on the enemy's side of an obstacle, esp a defended river

2.

a fortified or defensive position at the end of a bridge nearest to the enemy

3.

an advantageous position gained for future expansion

noun

1.

a fortified place or position established by an attacking force on the enemy's side of a bridge, river, defile, etc.

2.

beachhead (sense 2)

n.

1.

a. A fortified position from which troops defend the end of a bridge nearest the enemy.

b. A forward position seized by advancing troops in enemy territory as a foothold for further advance.

2. The area immediately adjacent to the end of a bridge.