# siege, besiege

## Definition

The term "siege" refers to when an attacking army surrounds a city and keeps it from being able to receive any supplies of food and water. To "besiege" a city means to cause that city to be under a siege.

* When Babylon came to attack Israel, they used a siege tactic on Jerusalem to weaken the people inside the city.
* Often during a siege attack, ramps of dirt are gradually constructed to enable the attacking army to cross over the city walls and invade the city.
* The idiom "lay siege" means to perform a siege. It has the same meaning as "besiege."
* The idiom "under siege" describes a city that an enemy army is surrounding. The city is said to be "besieged."