First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1ambush
verb am·bush \ˈam-ˌbu̇sh\
: to attack (someone or something) by surprise from a hidden place
Full Definition of AMBUSH
transitive verb
1
: to station in ambush
2
: to attack from an ambush : waylay
intransitive verb
See ambush defined for English-language learners
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Origin of AMBUSH
Middle English embushen, from Anglo-French embuscher, from en in (from Latin in) + busche log, firewood
2ambush
noun
: an act of hiding, waiting for others to appear, and then suddenly attacking them : a surprise attack
: a hidden place from which a surprise attack can be made
Full Definition of AMBUSH
1
: a trap in which concealed persons lie in wait to attack by surprise
2
: the persons stationed in ambush; also : their concealed position
3
: an attack especially from an ambush
See ambush defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of AMBUSH
15th century
Related to AMBUSH
- Synonyms
- ambuscade, ambushment, surprise (also surpize), trap
AMBUSH Defined for Kids
1ambush
verb am·bush \ˈam-ˌbu̇sh\
am·bushedam·bush·ing
Definition of AMBUSH for Kids
: to attack by surprise from a hidden place
2ambush
noun
Definition of AMBUSH for Kids
1
: a hidden place from which a surprise attack can be made
2
: a surprise attack made from a hidden place
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