n.
- a military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, cutting off essential supplies, with the aim of compelling the surrender of those inside.
- a similar operation by a police team to compel the surrender of an armed person.
Phrase
- lay siege to
conduct a siege of. - under siege
undergoing a siege.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. sege, from asegier ‘besiege’.