Definition of "ditch" in English

noun

1. A trench; a long, shallow indentation, as for irrigation or drainage.

   • Digging ditches has long been considered one of the most demanding forms of manual labor.
   • The truck careered off the road into a ditch.

2. (Ireland) A raised bank of earth and the hedgerow on top.

verb

1. (transitive) To discard or abandon.

   • Once the sun came out we ditched our rain-gear and started a campfire.
   • Why did you ditch your last boyfriend? He was so nice to you.

2. (ambitransitive, aviation) To deliberately crash-land an airplane on water.

   • When the second engine failed, the pilot was forced to ditch; their last location was just south of the Azores.

3. (ambitransitive) To deliberately not attend classes; to play hookey.

   • The truant officer caught Louise ditching with her friends, and her parents were forced to pay a fine.

4. (intransitive) To dig ditches.

   • Enclosure led to fuller winter employment in hedging and ditching.

5. (transitive) To dig ditches around.

   • The soldiers ditched the tent to prevent flooding.

6. (transitive) To throw into a ditch.

   • The engine was ditched and turned on its side.

verb

1. Alternative form of deech.

noun

1. Alternative form of deech.