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)

crusaded, crusading 

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

Other Word Forms

• crusader noun
• noncrusading adjective
• post-Crusade adjective
• pre-Crusade 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

Kennedy’s tactics owe a lot to the anti-abortion movement, which spent decades repackaging their efforts to destroy women’s rights as a crusade to “protect” them from supposedly evil doctors eager to inflict abortions on them.

From Salon

While the event had its discordant notes, the overall theme was akin to a religious revival – reminiscent of Billy Graham's tent crusades of the 1930 and 1940s or the "great awakenings" of the 19th Century.

From BBC

Because for the past decade, the right has been on a crusade to end what they see as the scourge of “cancel culture.”

From Salon

Amendments were increasingly tied to technological innovations and quirky moral crusades, such as Prohibition.

From Los Angeles Times

But some Birmingham residents were uncomfortable with the motivations of some of those backing the Weoley Warriors' crusade, as both flags have been exploited by some far-right political movements and demonstrations.

From BBC

Related Words

• demonstration 
• expedition 
• movement