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

Meat, on the other hand, is “associated with physical strength and masculinity,” said Adam Shprintzen, author of “The Vegetarian Crusade,” which chronicles the history of vegetarianism in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

The eastern Baltic was one of the last corners of Europe to adopt writing and Christianity, Shiroukhov notes, converting at sword-point in the 1200s as part of a “northern Crusade” by Teutonic knights from Germany.

From Science Magazine

Her organization, King’s Crusade, helps connect people with services, pays rent at sober living facilities and provides transportation to treatment.

From Seattle Times

Also, in 2014, Rodgers accepted an award from Athletes in Action, a sports ministry of Cru, which was formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ.

From Salon

Along the way are posters for films as varied as “Zoolander,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and “The Truman Show.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• demonstration
• expedition
• movement