incursion

Everyday

1. A sudden attack on or invasion of a place, often short. tree →
2. (formal) Coming into a place or area where you are not wanted or not expected: the incursion of sea water into a field. tree →

In the lessons

In history and news, an incursion is a raid across a border, such as Viking incursions into England or military incursions reported between countries. In geography and science, sea water or weeds make incursions into land or crops. Phrases: an incursion into, border incursion, Viking incursions.

Examples

• Viking incursions terrified villages along the coast. tree →
• The army reported an incursion across the border. tree →
• The storm caused an incursion of sea water into the fields. tree →
• Rabbits made nightly incursions into our vegetable patch. tree →
• The news described the drone incursion as a serious threat. tree →
• Foxes made an incursion into the henhouse last night. tree →

Note

Formal word; usually followed by «into». Similar: «raid», «invasion» (bigger and longer). In news about wars, each side may describe the same event differently.