last-ditch

1 of 2

adjective

ˈlas(t)-ˌdich 

-ˈdich

1

: fought or conducted from the last ditch : waged with desperation or unyielding defiance

put up a last-ditch resistance

2

: made as a final effort especially to avert disaster

a last-ditch attempt to raise the money

last ditch

2 of 2

noun

: a place of final defense or resort

Examples of last-ditch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The European Union’s top trade official is traveling to Washington this week to meet counterparts for a last-ditch effort to avoid getting hit by duties in April. —Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025

And speaking of the battery … The optional hand-crank generator can be used to deliver a bit of last-ditch juice to the thing, when no other options are available. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2025

Noun

McTavish nearly completed his first career hat trick into the empty net, but a last ditch effort by former Duck Rickard Rakell forced his one-handed shot attempt into the post. —Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 24 Jan. 2025

Bankers see a 'last ditch effort' by CFPB Bankers defended the safety of the Zelle app, and said the CFPB was overreaching in its actions. —Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1706, in the meaning defined above