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Siege: meaning, definitions and examples

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siege

 

[siหdส’ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

war

A military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, cutting off essential supplies, with the aim of compelling those inside to surrender.

Synonyms

besiegement, blockade, encirclement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
siege

A duplicate of the first entry as the word was accidentally repeated in the list.
blockade

This word is used when forces prevent goods or people from entering or leaving a particular area, often in naval contexts. It can also be used in economic scenarios.

  • The navy set up a blockade to stop ships from delivering supplies to the enemy
  • During the economic dispute, one country implemented a blockade against another
besiegement

This term is very similar to 'siege' but is rarely used. It can be used in historical or literary contexts to describe the same situation as a siege.

  • The besiegement of the city lasted for months with no end in sight
encirclement

This term describes the act of surrounding something completely, often in military situations but can also be used more broadly.

  • The army's encirclement of the town left the inhabitants with no escape route
  • The protesters aimed for the encirclement of the government building

Examples of usage

  • The city was under siege for several months.
  • The enemy forces launched a siege on the castle.
  • The siege lasted for weeks before the defenders finally surrendered.
Context #2 | Noun

online gaming

A prolonged period where one player or team is unable to capture a specific point or location in a game, due to the defense of the opposing player or team.

Synonyms

stalemate, standoff.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
siege

A prolonged military assault in which armed forces surround a place to cut off supplies and force surrender.

  • During the medieval period, the castle endured a brutal siege that lasted for months.
  • The siege of the city left the inhabitants in desperate conditions.
stalemate

A deadlock where neither side can make progress or win; commonly used in chess or general discussions.

  • The negotiations reached a stalemate; neither side was willing to compromise.
  • The chess match ended in a stalemate after both players ran out of moves.
standoff

A tense confrontation where neither party is willing to back down, often with potential for conflict.

  • The two armed groups faced each other in a standoff that lasted for hours.
  • The political standoff between the two countries escalated, with neither willing to concede.

Examples of usage

  • The attackers were unable to break the siege and capture the objective.
  • The defenders set up a strong defense, causing the attackers to be stuck in a siege.
Context #3 | Verb

general

To surround a town or building with armed forces, cutting off essential supplies, with the aim of compelling those inside to surrender.

Synonyms

besiege, blockade, encircle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
siege

Already covered. This word refers to the prolonged military operation to capture a place.
besiege

Use when indicating the act of surrounding a place with armed forces to capture it. It is typically more active and dynamic in description compared to 'siege'.

  • The army decided to besiege the city in order to force its surrender
  • The rebels managed to besiege the military base
blockade

Use when referring to the act of preventing goods, people, or information from entering or leaving a place, typically by sea but can also be on land. Often less about physical presence and more about preventing movement.

  • The naval blockade prevented any ships from supplying the island
  • The country's economy suffered due to the trade blockade
encircle

Use when describing the act of surrounding someone or something completely, not necessarily in a military context. More neutral in tone and can also be used in everyday situations.

  • The police managed to encircle the suspects
  • The patio was encircled by a beautiful garden

Examples of usage

  • The army decided to siege the enemy stronghold.
  • The rebels sieged the government building, demanding change.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The term has roots in the Latin word 'sedere,' meaning 'to sit,' highlighting the strategy of waiting in one place.
  • Sieges were commonly used in ancient warfare, with armies surrounding fortified cities to cut off supplies and reinforcements.

Notable Historical Sieges

  • The Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE led to the cityโ€™s destruction and the end of the Second Temple period in Jewish history.
  • The Siege of Stalingrad during World War II was one of the warโ€™s deadliest battles, marking a significant turning point against the Nazis.

Literature and Media

  • Sieges have inspired countless novels, plays, and films, underscoring themes of resilience and endurance, such as in 'The Siege' by Helen Dunmore.
  • Many video games, like 'Total War' series, involve strategizing and executing sieges as a key gameplay mechanic.

Psychological Aspects

  • Sieges can create a state of mental pressure for those confined, often leading to psychological phenomena like 'Stockholm Syndrome.'
  • The idea of being besieged can also represent personal struggles, reflecting how people feel trapped in their situations.

Modern Applications

  • In contemporary warfare, sieges are often less common, replaced by more tactical approaches, such as airstrikes and drone warfare.
  • The concept of a 'siege mentality' is used in psychology to describe how individuals or groups may react defensively to perceived threats.

Translations

Translations of the word "siege" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น cerco

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค˜เฅ‡เคฐเคพเคฌเค‚เคฆเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Belagerung

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pengepungan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะพะฑะปะพะณะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ oblฤ™ลผenie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅŒ…ๅ›ฒ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท siรจge

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ asedio

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kuลŸatma

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํฌ์œ„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุญุตุงุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ oblรฉhรกnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ obliehanie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ›ดๆ”ป

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ obleganje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ umsรกtur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะพั€ัˆะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒšแƒงแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mรผhasirษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ asedio

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,889 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.