Definition of retrenchment Retrenchment

/ɹitɹɛˈnʧmʌnt/ - [reetrenchmunt] - re•trench•ment

We found 9 definitions of retrenchment from 6 different sources.

What does retrenchment mean?

Noun Plural: retrenchments
retrenchment - the reduction of expenditures in order to become financially stable
		curtailment, downsizing
		saving, economy an act of economizing; reduction in cost; "it was a small economy to walk to work every day"; "there was a saving of 50 cents"
retrenchment - entrenchment consisting of an additional interior fortification to prolong the defense

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retrenchment (Noun)
A reduction or curtailment; often referring to a business or government agency cutting back operations or laying off workers.
retrenchment (Noun)
A defensive work constructed within a fortification to make it more defensible by allowing defenders to retreat into and fight from it even after the enemy has taken the outer work.

retrenchment (n.)
The act or process of retrenching; as, the retrenchment of words in a writing.
retrenchment (n.)
A work constructed within another, to prolong the defense of the position when the enemy has gained possession of the outer work; or to protect the defenders till they can retreat or obtain terms for a capitulation.

retrenchment
A defence with a ditch and breast-work behind another post or defence, whereby the besieger, on forcing the original work, is confronted by a fresh one.

retrenchment
In fortification, is a defensive work, comprising at least ditch and parapet, within some other work of a fortress, and intended as a place of retreat for the defenders, whence they may prolong the defense, or capitulate after the faces of the work itself have fallen into the enemy’s hands. The retrenchment bears a considerable resemblance to the reduit, except that it is almost always of earth. Retrenchments are made in ravelins, and the re-entering place d’armes at the time of constructing the works. A retrenchment is thrown across the gorge of a redan or bastion, or from shoulder to shoulder, when it is apprehended that the salient angle will fall into the possession of the besiegers; these retrenchments are usually made when wanted. Such a retrenchment across the interior of the Redan at Sebastopol caused the sanguinary repulse of the British on September 8, 1855.