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Definition of foxhole

foxhole

/ˈfɑːks.hoʊl/
fox · hole
Plural:foxholes
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foxhole Lexical Profile

foxhole Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small pit dug in the ground by soldiers as a temporary shelter against enemy fire or for firing from under cover.

Example

"The historical battlefield tour included preserved earthworks and an original foxhole from the mid-twentieth century."

2

A burrow dug in the ground by a fox as a shelter or den.

Example

"The wildlife photographer set up a camera trap near a hidden foxhole at the edge of the woodland."

3

A place or state of refuge, isolation, or retreat from stress and confrontation.

Example

"After weeks of intense public scrutiny, the executive retreated into a figurative foxhole and avoided all media inquiries."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for foxhole

• Nearby Words

fox snake
foxed
foxglove
foxhole
foxhound
foxhunt
foxhunter

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed as a compound of "fox" and "hole," originally referring literally to a fox's burrow in the 15th century before being adopted by soldiers during World War I to describe small defensive pits.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Foxhole. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/foxhole
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