Ambush Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of AMBUSH

1

[count]

:

an act of hiding, waiting for others to appear, and then suddenly attacking them

:

a surprise attack

• Many soldiers were killed in the ambush.

2

[noncount]

:

a hidden place from which a surprise attack can be made

• The soldiers were lying in ambush, waiting for the enemy to approach.
• a snake waiting in ambush for its next meal

Britannica Dictionary definition of AMBUSH

[+ object]

:

to attack (someone or something) by surprise from a hidden place

• We have reports of enemy soldiers ambushing civilians on this road.

— often used as (be) ambushed

• He was ambushed and killed by robbers on his way home.

— often used figuratively

• As she left the courthouse, she was ambushed by a group of reporters.
• Her book was ambushed [=criticized in a harsh and unfair way] by the critics.