# trench

> English word · Noun · IPA /tɹɛnt͡ʃ/ · frequency rank #11,312

## Definitions
1. A long, narrow ditch or hole dug in the ground.
2. A narrow excavation as used in warfare, as a cover for besieging or emplaced forces.
3. A pit, usually rectangular with smooth walls and floor, excavated during an archaeological investigation.
4. A trench coat.

## Etymology
Borrowed into Middle English from Old French trenche. Doublet of tranche and traunch. Possible doublet of English: truncate

## Easily confused with
- **trend** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/trench-vs-trend)
- **Trent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/trench-vs-trent)
- **trendy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/trench-vs-trendy)
- **trenches** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/trench-vs-trenches)
- **tech** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tech-vs-trench)
- **teach** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/teach-vs-trench)
- **tenth** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tenth-vs-trench)
- **trance** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/trance-vs-trench)
- **thence** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thence-vs-trench)
- **Terence** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/terence-vs-trench)

## Common misspellings (10)
`rtench`, `ternch`, `trecnh`, `trencch`, `trenchh`, `trenhc`, `trennch`, `trnech`, `trrench`, `ttrench`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/trench