What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Bridgehead vs Toehold - What's the difference?

bridgehead | toehold |

As nouns the difference between bridgehead and toehold

is that bridgehead is an area around the end of a bridge while toehold is (rock climbing) a foothold small enough to support just the toe.

bridgehead

English

(wikipedia bridgehead)

Noun

(en noun)
  • An area around the end of a bridge.
  • (military) A fortification around the end of a bridge.
  • (military) An area of ground on the enemy's side of a river or other obstacle, especially one that needs to be taken and defended in order to secure an advance.
  • (chemistry) Either of the two atoms in different parts of a molecule that are connected by a bridge.

    • Related terms

    * (military) beachhead

    See also

    * airhead * beachhead * railhead English calques

    toehold

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (rock climbing) A foothold small enough to support just the toe.
  • (by extension) Any small advantage which allows one to make significant progress.
  • *1990 , (Peter Hopkirk), The Great Game , Folio Society 2010, p. 151:
  • *:Were Herat to fall to the Persians, this would give the Russians a crucial and dangerous toe-hold in western Afghanistan.
  • *2009 , Alan Travis, The Guardian , 8 Dec 2009:
  • *:One in three "adult-kids" who have not left the parental nest say they are still living at home because they cannot afford to get a toehold on the property ladder by buying or renting.