inroad

noun

in·​road ˈin-ˌrōd How to pronounce inroad (audio)
plural inroads
1
: an advance or penetration often at the expense of someone or something
usually used in plural
2
: a sudden hostile incursion : raid

Did you know?

Inroad is a combination of in and road, both of which are pretty mundane, as far as words go. But the first-and-oldest-meaning of inroad hints at a meaning of road other than the "way for traveling" one. Beginning back in the days of Old English, road referred to an armed hostile incursion made on horseback. (Raid comes from this use of road and also formerly specified incursions on horseback.) Road, as well as inroad, has lost its violent connotation. While inroads are often made at the expense of someone or something, they are at times simply advances, as when an artist is said to be "making inroads into a community."

Examples of inroad in a Sentence

the army is finally making inroads into enemy territory
Recent Examples on the Web With the right strategy, former President Donald Trump could make inroads with Charlotte-area voters at the Republican National Convention, local delegates and political strategists say. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2024 The president has won the backing of most of the country’s largest union groups at a time when Trump has also sought to make inroads with rank-and-file members. Arlette Saenz, CNN, 11 July 2024 Under her tenure, the watchmaker has encouraged the intersection with artistic practices; stepped up its effort to develop know-how and education, and made inroads with transmission with the extension of its warranty to eight years and the 2023 launch of its vintage The Collectibles watch offer. Lily Templeton, WWD, 2 July 2024 He's made inroads in Georgia, a state Democrats are angling to move to the front of their primary calendar. Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 2 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for inroad 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inroad.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of inroad was in 1548

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Dictionary Entries Near inroad

Cite this Entry

“Inroad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inroad. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

inroad

noun
in·​road ˈin-ˌrōd How to pronounce inroad (audio)
1
: a sudden hostile invasion : raid
2
: an important advance often at the expense of someone or something
making inroads against the competition

More from Merriam-Webster on inroad

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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