crusade

[ kroo-seyd ]

noun

1. Often Crusade. any of the military expeditions undertaken by the Christians of Europe in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries for the recovery of the Holy Land from the Muslims.
2. any war carried on under papal sanction.
3. any vigorous, aggressive movement for the defense or advancement of an idea, cause, etc.:

   a crusade against child abuse.

verb (used without object)

, cru·sad·ed, cru·sad·ing.

1. to go on or engage in a crusade.

crusade

/ kruːˈseɪd /

noun

1. often capital any of the military expeditions undertaken in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries by the Christian powers of Europe to recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims
2. (formerly) any holy war undertaken on behalf of a religious cause
3. a vigorous and dedicated action or movement in favour of a cause

verb

1. to campaign vigorously for something
2. to go on a crusade

Derived Forms

• cruˈsader, noun

Other Words From

• cru·sad·er noun
• non·cru·sad·ing adjective
• post-Cru·sade adjective
• pre-Cru·sade adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crusade¹

First recorded in 1570–80; earlier crusada, from Spanish cruzada; replacing croisade, from Middle French. See cross, -ade ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of crusade¹

C16: from earlier croisade, from Old French crois cross, from Latin crux; influenced also by Spanish cruzada, from cruzar to take up the cross

Example Sentences

Using the imagery of crusades, he assailed “the late unholy war with the Indians” and the “wicked crusade against the peace of Mexico” during the 1830s.

From Salon

Breed continued her crusade to push San Francisco toward the political center last spring, when voters approved the ballot measures she sponsored to bolster police powers and increase oversight of people receiving county benefits.

From Los Angeles Times

Later, Anthony Comstock’s crusade to pass the eponymous “anti-obscenity” measures through Congress followed.

From Salon

These are ventures — often one-person crusades — that celebrate fast food, Finnish folk art, Skid Row, skateboarding, vertebrate zoology and more.

From Los Angeles Times

A few years after legendary magician Harry Houdini crusaded against spiritualists and mediums, spook shows started popping up throughout North America and beyond.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• demonstration
• expedition
• movement