Meaning of the word "under siege" in English

What does "under siege" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

under siege

US /ˈʌndər siːdʒ/
UK /ˈʌndə siːdʒ/
"under siege" picture

Phrase

1.

surrounded and attacked by an army

Example:
The city was under siege for months before it finally fell.
The fortress remained strong even when it was under siege.
2.

experiencing a lot of criticism, trouble, or pressure

Example:
The government is currently under siege from the opposition party.
The company has been under siege since the scandal broke.