incursion

noun

in·​cur·​sion in-ˈkər-zhən 

1

: a hostile entrance into a territory : raid

2

: an entering in or into (something, such as an activity or undertaking)

his only incursion into the arts

Synonyms

• descent
• foray
• inroad
• invasion
• irruption
• raid

Examples of incursion in a Sentence

an incursion into enemy airspace

there were incursions from the border every summer

Recent Examples on the Web

As Ronald Allen learned, plaintiffs have to prove they have been harmed by the incursion. —Alana Semuels, TIME, 28 Jan. 2025

But while French speakers still resist the incursion of English, Quebec City is evolving. —Vjosa Isai, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

What happens next Around 1,000 North Korean troops have been killed in the Kursk region so far according to unnamed western officials cited by the BBC and these numbers are likely to rise as Ukraine continues its incursion. —Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

According to Ukrainian and Western assessments, some 11,000 North Korean troops are deployed in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces occupy several hundred square kilometers after staging a cross-border incursion in August last year. —Adam Pourahmadi, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin incursion-, incursio, from incurrere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

incursion

noun

in·​cur·​sion in-ˈkər-zhən 

: a sudden usually temporary invasion : raid