Pas de Calais

¹ American

[pahd^uh ka-le] / pɑdə kaˈlɛ /

noun

French name of the Strait of Dover.

Pas-de-Calais ² American

[pahd^uh-ka-le] / pɑdə kaˈlɛ /

noun

a department in N France. 2,607 sq. mi. (6,750 sq. km). Arras.

Pas-de-Calais British

/ pɑdkalɛ /

noun

a department of N France, in Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, on the Straits of Dover (the Pas de Calais ): the part of France closest to the British Isles. Capital: Arras. Pop: 1 451 307 (2003 est). Area: 6752 sq km (2633 sq miles)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Another important facet of Quicksilver was the bombing effort around the Pas de Calais region immediately before D-Day.

From Fox News • Jun. 5, 2019

His greatest success was persuading German commanders that the Allied invasion would come in France’s Pas de Calais region, far north of the real Normandy landing beaches.

From Seattle Times • May 30, 2018

Francis was buried in Pernes British Cemetery in Pas de Calais, and has a headstone in St Peter's in Endensor, Derbyshire.

From BBC • Aug. 7, 2016

The shortest shipping distance from England to France was to the Pas de Calais region.

From Inc • Jan. 19, 2012

The Pas de Calais has more color, and shows more art than either, yet is less impressive.

From Modern Painters Volume I (of V) by Ruskin, John

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023