1. a sudden attack or charge from a defensive position
Usage: military
2. a flight mission by a military aircraft
Usage: military aviation
3. a brief venture or expedition

1. to make a sudden attack from a defensive position
Usage: military

Examples

• The troops made a sortie against the enemy camp at dawn.
• The pilot flew three sorties over enemy territory.
• We made a quick sortie to the grocery store before dinner.
• The fighter jets were ready to sortie at a moment’s notice.
• The castle’s defenders sortied against the besieging army.
• Each sortie lasted approximately two hours.
• Their shopping sortie turned into an all-day adventure.