Somme

American  

[sawm] / sɔm /

noun

1. a river in N France, flowing NW to the English Channel: battles, World War I, 1916, 1918; World War II, 1944. 150 miles (241 km) long.

2. a department in N France. 2,424 sq. mi. (6,280 sq. km). Amiens.

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Somme British  

/ sɔm /

noun

1. a department of N France, in Picardy region. Capital: Amiens. Pop: 557 061 (2003 est). Area: 6277 sq km (2448 sq miles)

2. a river in N France, rising in Aisne department and flowing west to Amiens, then northwest to the English Channel: scene of heavy fighting in World War I. Length: 245 km (152 miles)

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Example Sentences

It was like the Battle of the Somme, with cowboy hats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

Russian advances in some of its major offensives are slower than the infamous Battle of the Somme in World War I, according to CSIS.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

On 1 July 2002 he laid a laurel wreath at the monument, two hours ahead of the main council ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2024

On 1 July 2002 he laid a laurel wreath at the monument, hours ahead of the main council ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

From BBC • Nov. 5, 2024

After two weeks, Ludendorff called off the Somme offensive and shifted to the north, striking near the ruins of Ypres.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman