beachhead meaning and definition

BEACHHEAD noun

Definition of beachhead (noun)

1. a bridgehead on the enemy's shoreline seized by an amphibious operation
   • "the Germans were desperately trying to contain the Anzio beachhead"
2. an initial accomplishment that opens the way for further developments
   • "the town became a beachhead in the campaign to ban smoking outdoors"; "they are presently attempting to gain a foothold in the Russian market"
   • synonyms: foothold