Definition of retrench

The word "retrench" originated in the late 18th century from the Dutch word "retrencheren," which meant "to shorten" or "to make smaller." This Dutch term was adopted by the British military during the Napoleonic Wars as a way to describe cutting back on military expenses, particularly for supplies and personnel. The use of the term then extended to other areas of society, including industries and businesses, as a way to refer to reducing costs and downsizing operations in response to financial difficulties. Today, the verb "to retrench" is still widely used, particularly in business and financial contexts, to describe measures taken to reduce costs and expenses in response to challenging economic conditions.