Translate attack | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of attack
verb
[with object] take aggressive action against (a place or enemy forces) with weapons or armed force, typically in a battle or war:in December, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor [no object]:Italian forces attacked in October (of a person or animal) act against (someone or something) aggressively in an attempt to injure or kill:a doctor was attacked by two youths (of a disease, chemical substance, or insect) act harmfully on:HIV is thought to attack certain cells in the brain criticize or oppose fiercely and publicly:he attacked the government’s defense policy begin to deal with (a problem or task) in a determined and vigorous way:a plan of action to attack unemployment [no object] make an aggressive or forceful attempt to score a goal or point, or gain or exploit an advantage in a game against an opposing team or player: (as adjective attacking)the home team showed some good attacking play Chess move into or be in a position to capture (an opponent’s piece).
noun
an aggressive and violent action against a person or place:he was killed in an attack on a checkpoint three classrooms were gutted in the arson attack destructive action by a disease, chemical, or insect:the tissue is open to attack by fungus a sudden short bout of an illness or stress:an attack of nausea an asthma attack an instance of fierce public criticism or opposition:he launched a stinging attack on the White House a determined attempt to tackle a problem or task:an attack on inflation Music the manner of beginning to play or sing a passage. forceful and decisive style in performing music or another art:the sheer attack of Hendrix’s playing an aggressive attempt to score a goal, win points, or gain or exploit an advantage in a game. Chess a threat to capture an opponent’s piece.
