redan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical / Historical
Quick answer
What does “redan” mean?
A simple fieldwork fortification or projecting angle in a fortification wall.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A simple fieldwork fortification or projecting angle in a fortification wall.
In fortification, a V-shaped salient angle pointing outward, used as a defensive earthwork or part of a larger fortification system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Identical in technical meaning. No significant regional variation in usage.
Connotations
Both associate it with historical military architecture (e.g., Napoleonic era, American Civil War earthworks).
Frequency
Extremely rare in all varieties of English, used only in niche technical or historical texts. No frequency difference.
Grammar
How to Use “redan” in a Sentence
The [defenders] constructed a redan at [location].The attack was focused on the [enemy's] redan.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, archaeological, and military history papers discussing fortifications.
Everyday
Never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in historical military engineering and battlefield archaeology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “redan”
- Confusing it with 'redoubt' (a fully enclosed fortification).
- Spelling it as 'redon' or 'readan'.
- Assuming it relates to the colour red.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare, highly technical term used almost exclusively in historical and military engineering contexts.
A redan is an open-backed, V-shaped salient. A redoubt is a fully enclosed, independent fieldwork, often square or polygonal.
No, there is no etymological or semantic connection to the colour. It derives from the French word for 'projection' or 'salient'.
The 'Great Redan' was a key Russian defensive position during the Siege of Sevastopol (1854–55) in the Crimean War.
A simple fieldwork fortification or projecting angle in a fortification wall.
Redan is usually technical / historical in register.
Redan: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈdæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈdæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a RED ANgle pointing outwards to defend - RED AN makes REDAN.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TOOTH in a defensive SMILE; a SHIELD with a POINT.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'redan' primarily used?