Seige vs. Siege: The Correct Spellings

The term "siege" has historical connotations dating back to medieval times and earlier. Sieges were commonly employed in warfare to capture fortified places. Over the years, the term has also been applied metaphorically to describe situations of isolation or being under pressure.

The correct spelling of the word is "siege," not "seige." The incorrect version, "seige," is a common misspelling that likely occurs due to the confusion between "i" and "e" in the English language. However, it's important to remember that "siege" is the correct form. In English, there are various rules and exceptions about the ordering of "i" and "e," and in this case, the correct order is "i" before "e."

As for other forms of the word, "siege" can be used as a verb, as in "to besiege," and there is also the adjective form "besieged." A trick to remember the spelling of "siege" is to think of the word "see," which also starts with 's' and has 'ee,' then add the 'i' and 'g' to make it "siege."

Incorrect: The army laid seige to the fortress for over two months.

Correct: The army laid siege to the fortress for over two months.

Incorrect: The general ordered a seige to force the enemy's surrender.

Correct: The general ordered a siege to force the enemy's surrender.

Incorrect: During the seige, food supplies became critically low.

Correct: During the siege, food supplies became critically low.

Incorrect: Historians study the seige of ancient cities to understand warfare tactics.

Correct: Historians study the siege of ancient cities to understand warfare tactics.

Incorrect: The city was under seige for weeks before help arrived.

Correct: The city was under siege for weeks before help arrived.

A situation where one feels trapped or surrounded, usually metaphorical.

A prolonged or persistent attack or effort aimed at something.

A military operation where enemy forces surround a town or structure to cut off supplies and force surrender.

A seat of distinction or a position of superiority in an organization.

An attempt to capture a fortified place by surrounding and isolating it, typically followed by bombardment.

The surrounding and blockading of a city, town, or fortress by an army attempting to capture it.

A prolonged period, as of illness

(Obsolete) A seat, especially a throne.

To subject to a siege; besiege

(heading) Military action.

(US) A period of struggle or difficulty, especially from illness.

(figuratively) A prolonged assault or attack.

(heading) A seat.

(obsolete) A seat, especially as used by someone of importance or authority.

(obsolete) An ecclesiastical see.

(obsolete) The place where one has his seat; a home, residence, domain, empire.

The seat of a heron while looking out for prey.

A flock of heron.

(obsolete) A toilet seat.

(obsolete) The anus; the rectum.

(obsolete) Excrements, stool, fecal matter.

(obsolete) Rank; grade; station; estimation.

(obsolete) The floor of a glass-furnace.

(obsolete) A place with a toilet seat: an outhouse; a lavatory.

To assault or blockade a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition; to besiege.

A seat; especially, a royal seat; a throne.

Hence, place or situation; seat.

Rank; grade; station; estimation.

Passage of excrements; stool; fecal matter.

The sitting of an army around or before a fortified place for the purpose of compelling the garrison to surrender; the surrounding or investing of a place by an army, and approaching it by passages and advanced works, which cover the besiegers from the enemy's fire. See the Note under Blockade.

Hence, a continued attempt to gain possession.

The floor of a glass-furnace.

A workman's bench.

To besiege; to beset.

the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

The siege lasted several months, causing great hardship for the inhabitants.

The castle withstood the siege thanks to its strong defenses.

Historically, a successful siege would lead to the conquerors sacking the city.

The siege engines were powerful tools for breaking through fortifications.

The city's fall after a prolonged siege marked the end of the war.

The defenders made a desperate sortie during the siege to break the encirclement.

Soldiers during the siege had to ration their food and water.

Civilians suffered the most during the long siege.

Siege warfare was a common military strategy in ancient and medieval times.

The siege ended when the attackers breached the city's walls.

The siege was lifted after the attackers received reinforcements.

The defenders used boiling oil to repel attackers during the siege.

The siege tactics included blocking any attempts at relief or resupply.

The memories of the siege haunted survivors for years to come.

Artillery played a crucial role in the siege, bombarding the defenses daily.

After the siege, the victorious army took control of the strategic location.

The siege was characterized by a series of brutal assaults on the walls.

Starvation became a serious threat as the siege dragged on.

During the siege, messages were smuggled out through secret tunnels.

The siege of the fortress is a famous episode in the country's history.

Psychological tactics were also employed to demoralize those under siege.

A defensive attitude adopted when a person or group feels persecuted or under attack.

A device constructed to break or circumvent heavy fortifications.

To successfully resist or survive an attack or period of pressure.

Preparing for a long and difficult struggle.

To relieve or end a siege by breaking through the besieging forces.

A method of warfare where forces surround and isolate a target to force its surrender.

To withstand an attack or difficult situation for a long time.

Feeling attacked or heavily pressured from multiple directions.

A prolonged period of sickness affecting a person or community.

To surround and attack a place with the goal of taking control.

Strategies employed to capture or defeat a place or group by surrounding and isolating it.

The barriers or challenges that enclose or restrict during a difficult period.

An economy that is heavily regulated and controlled due to external pressures or threats.

To overcome a personal challenge or struggle.

Overcoming a period of uncertainty or lack of confidence.

A series of meetings that feel overwhelming or excessively demanding.

A barrage of questions from one or more people.

The end of a difficult period or situation.

Making it through a particularly tough or challenging time.

Think of the word "see," which starts with 's' and has 'ee,' then add the 'i' and 'g' to make it "siege."

The incorrect spelling "seige" likely occurs due to the confusion between "i" and "e" in the English language. The correct spelling follows the "i before e" rule in this case.

Yes, "siege" can also be used as a verb, as in "to besiege," and there is an adjective form "besieged."

The concept of a siege still exists in modern warfare, although the strategies and technologies have evolved.

While often used to describe military operations, the term "siege" can also be metaphorical to describe situations of isolation or pressure.

Yes, the spelling "siege" is consistent in both American and British English.

The correct spelling is "siege."

Siege is a noun, but it can also be used as a verb in the form "to besiege."

The term "siege" originates from Old French, which in turn is derived from Latin.

While people might pronounce "seige" and "siege" similarly due to the misspelling, only "siege" is the correct form and its standard pronunciation is [seej].