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

They certainly couldn’t have anticipated how eagerly Rubio would join in the deportation crusade by targeting foreign students for visa violations, as well as for unauthorized opinions about Israel and Charlie Kirk.

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But as “The Perfect Neighbor” crusades toward its inevitable end, the film’s empathy depletes.

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“Newsom and his gang of progressive politicians in California are continuing their crusade against constitutional rights,” John Commerford, executive director of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

One revived the crusades of the 11th and 12th centuries and allowed players to enslave Muslims.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

What the Bullmers and company should have known is not to bring a crusading journalist aboard a boat where so much skullduggery is on the itinerary, and so many spoilers in the cargo hold.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• demonstration 
• expedition 
• movement