An ambush is a surprise attack from a hidden position. Soldiers might wait quietly behind rocks or trees, then suddenly rush out when their enemy passes by. The key to an ambush is the element of surprise: the attackers stay concealed until the perfect moment to strike.

In nature, predators like lions and crocodiles are masters of the ambush. A lion hides in tall grass, waiting motionlessly while a herd of zebras grazes nearby. When one zebra wanders close enough, the lion explodes from its hiding spot. The zebra had no warning because the lion was camouflaged and patient.

You might encounter the word in stories about warfare throughout history, from ancient Roman legions ambushed in forests to medieval knights surprised in narrow mountain passes. During the American Revolution, colonial militias frequently used ambush tactics against British forces marching along roads.

The word also works outside military contexts. A reporter might ambush a politician with unexpected questions. Kids might playfully ambush their friend with water balloons from behind a fence. In these cases, ambush means catching someone off guard, usually without any real danger involved.