beachhead

/ˌbitʃˈhɛd/

Other forms: beachheads

During war, troops coming onshore into enemy territory sometimes set up a beachhead, a temporary line of defense they hold until more soldiers arrive.

The World War II term beachhead gets its name from the fact that seagoing forces have landed on a beach. It's also influenced by the earlier bridgehead, a defended position at one end of a bridge. As troops on a beachhead wait for reinforcements, they take a position that's safe and secure, from which they can defend themselves and anticipate advancing further. Figuratively, a beachhead can also be the first step you take toward achievement or progress.

Definitions of beachhead

1. noun

   a bridgehead on the enemy's shoreline seized by an amphibious operation
   “the Germans were desperately trying to contain the Anzio beachhead”

   type of:

   bridgehead, foothold

   an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies
2. noun

   an initial accomplishment that opens the way for further developments
   “the town became a beachhead in the campaign to ban smoking outdoors”

   synonyms: foothold

   type of:

   accomplishment, achievement

   the action of accomplishing something