an initial accomplishment that opens the way for further developments; "the town became a beachhead in the campaign to ban smoking outdoors"; "they are presently attempting to gain a foothold in the Russian market"
a bridgehead on the enemy's shoreline seized by an amphibious operation; "the Germans were desperately trying to contain the Anzio beachhead"
a defensive post at the end of a bridge nearest to the enemy
an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies; "an attempt to secure a bridgehead behind enemy lines"; "the only foothold left for British troops in Europe was Gibraltar"
a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase
an offensive move in a sport or game; "they won the game with a 10-hit attack in the 9th inning"
the act of attacking; "attacks on women increased last year"; "they made an attempt on his life"
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons); "the attack began at dawn"
strong criticism; "he published an unexpected attack on my work"
the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent); "the film was sensitive to attack by acids"; "open to attack by the elements"
a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition; "an attack of diarrhea"
begin to injure; "The cancer cells are attacking his liver"; "Rust is attacking the metal"
set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task; "I attacked the problem as soon as I got out of bed"
attack in speech or writing; "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker"
take the initiative and go on the offensive; "The Serbs attacked the village at night"; "The visiting team started to attack"
launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with; "Hitler attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and started World War II"; "Serbian forces assailed Bosnian towns all week"
keep in one's mind; "I cannot retain so much information"
secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"
allow to remain in a place or position; "We cannot continue several servants any longer"; "She retains a lawyer"; "The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"; "Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on"; "We kept the work going as long as we could"
hold within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"
reach, make, or come to a decision about something; "We finally decided after lengthy deliberations"
bring to an end; settle conclusively; "The case was decided"; "The judge decided the case in favor of the plaintiff"; "The father adjudicated when the sons were quarreling over their inheritance"
cause to decide; "This new development finally decided me!"
influence or determine; "The vote in New Hampshire often decides the outcome of the Presidential election"
maintain or assert; "He contended that Communism had no future"
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight; "the tribesmen fought each other"; "Siblings are always fighting"; "Militant groups are contending for control of the country"