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

Moscow could opt for a limited incursion or upping its hybrid warfare tactics to probe the alliance's conviction, Kahl said. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

Today, Chinese Coast Guard vessels patrolled Scarborough Shoal today, marking at least the fourth incursion by the People’s Republic of China into the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone since the Philippines announced two new laws. —Jill Goldenziel, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024

Any incursion into Mexico would enrage a population still angered by U.S. invasions in the 19th and early 20th centuries. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 29 Nov. 2024

That escalated in September with massive Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, and an Israeli ground incursion into the country’s south. —Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 26 Nov. 2024

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