Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

attack

 - definition
 
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
noun British English pronunciation: attack /əˈtæk/ 
Word Forms
Close
singularattack
pluralattacks
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [countable] a violent attempt to harm a person, animal, or place

    a vicious attack

    attack on:

    measures to reduce the number of sexual attacks on young women

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of attack
    1. a.
      [countable/uncountable] an organized attempt to defeat an enemy, using weapons

      a nuclear attack

      attack on:

      Government forces renewed their attacks on a key communications tower.

      launch/mount an attack:

      We mounted a surprise attack against their ammunition depot.

      be/come under attack:

      The city was under attack throughout the night.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of attack
  2. 2
    [countable/uncountable] strong criticism
    attack on:

    The book is widely seen as an attack on the education system.

    launch/mount an attack:

    He was outraged by the personal attacks launched against him.

    be/come under attack:

    Both candidates have come under attack for their health-care proposals.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of attack
  3. 3
    [countable] the beginning or return of an illness, or the period during which you have it

    a severe asthma attack

    attack of:

    an attack of the flu

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of attack
    1. a.
      the beginning of a strong feeling or need, or the period during which you have it

      a hunger attack

      an anxiety attack

      attack of:

      an attack of spring fever

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of attack
    See also  heart attack
  4. 4
    [countable] an attempt to score points against an opponent in a game or sport

    Their attack in the final minutes wasn't enough to win the game.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of attack

This is the British English definition of attack. View American English definition of attack.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for attack.

 

caxirola

a percussion instrument used by football fans which makes a rattling sound when shaken

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

glean

to learn small pieces of information by asking questions or watching or listening carefully

Open Dictionary

pierce the corporate veil

… the decision to treat the rights and duties of a company as being the same as the rights and duties of its shareholders

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog