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

Predictably, Putin saw the incursion as a stab in the back and pulled the plug, with Moscow labeling the Ukrainian offensive as an escalation. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Sources indicate that Kyiv is seeking to revive discussions mediated by Qatar after previous talks nearly resulted in an agreement in August but were derailed by Ukraine's military incursion into Russia's Kursk region. —Katya Soldak, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

No, the devastation comes in dribs and drabs, via sporadic incursions over years: a home bulldozed here, a well filled with concrete there, a 2 AM home invasion there. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

The Kremlin’s forces have struggled to push back a Ukrainian incursion into Kursk. —Tara Copp, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 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