ambushes

Noun

ambush (countable and uncountable, plural ambushes)

1. The act of concealing oneself and lying in wait to attack or kill by surprise.
2. An attack launched from a concealed position.
   • Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault or siege / Or ambush from the deep.1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
3. The concealed position or state from which a surprise attack is launched.
   • the Georgean hills,
     Whoſe tops are couered with Tartarian theeues,
     That lie in ambuſh, waiting for a pray:c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC...
4. The troops posted in a concealed place, for attacking by surprise; those who lie in wait.
   • And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ranne as soone as he had stretched out his hand: and they entred into the city, and tooke it, and hasted, and set the citie on fire.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Joshua 8:19
5. (collective) A group of tigers.
   • “Having Chris Palmer part of this ambush of tigers is so exciting. He brings the experience and creative juices, but most of all, the passion and fun we all love about this job,” says Braun.2026 July 21, Madison Hahnen, “Chris Palmer Joins Triple Tigers Records/AKANDO Music”, in Music Row

   Synonyms:

   streak

See all 7 meanings of ambush