Definition

The act of moving from a narrow or confined space into a wider area, often used in a military context.

Example

The troops made their debouchment from the valley into the open field.

Conversation

Have you ever heard the term debouchment?

No, I haven't. What does it mean?

It refers to marching from a narrow area into the open, like when we hiked through that canyon.

Oh, that makes sense! It felt like such a big debouchment when we finally saw the valley.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Debouchment is formed from "déboucher" (from Old French, meaning to unbottle or to flow out) and the suffix "-ment" (indicating the action or result of a verb). The word refers to the act of flowing out, particularly of a river or stream from a narrow place into a wider area.

Memory Tip

Imagine a river 'flowing out' ('déboucher') from a narrow space into a wider area — that's what debouchment means.

Visually Confused Words