the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
"The army laid a long siege on the castle, cutting off all supplies while bombarding the walls day after day."
Military action.
"The army laid siege to the castle, surrounding it with troops and cutting off all supplies until the defenders surrendered."
A prolonged military assault or a blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition.
"The general ordered his troops to maintain a strict siege around the castle until the defenders surrendered from starvation."
In plain English: A siege is when an army surrounds and blocks a place to force people inside to give up without fighting directly.
"The ancient city was surrounded by enemy soldiers during a long siege that lasted for months."
Usage: The term is often used metaphorically for non-military pressures, such as "a siege on the president's office," but avoid using it casually for minor annoyances where words like "harassment" are more precise. When referring to a specific historical event, place the location before the word (e.g., "the Siege of Leningrad") rather than after.
To assault a blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition; to besiege.
"The enemy army launched a fierce siege against the fortified castle, hoping to break its defenses through prolonged bombardment and starvation."
In plain English: To siege something means to surround it so tightly that no people can get out and none can come back in.
"The terrorists tried to siege the small town for weeks until supplies ran out."
The word "siege" entered English via Middle and Old French, where it originally referred to a small seat or throne. Over time, the meaning shifted in military contexts to describe the act of surrounding an enemy stronghold with armed forces.