de Gaulle

American  

[duh gohl, gawl] / də ˈgoʊl, ˈgɔl /

noun

1. Charles André Joseph Marie 1890–1970, French general and statesman: president 1959–69.

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de Gaulle British  

/ də ɡol /

noun

1. Charles ( André Joseph Marie ) (ʃarl). 1890–1970, French general and statesman. During World War II, he refused to accept Pétain's armistice with Germany and founded the Free French movement in England (1940). He was head of the provisional governments (1944–46) and, as first president of the Fifth Republic (1959–69), he restored political and economic stability to France

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Example Sentences

Through sheer force of will, and despite several attempts on his life, President de Gaulle held his fractious country together and established an independent foreign policy, much to the annoyance of the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Not content with mere parliamentary preeminence, de Gaulle quickly fashioned a Fifth Republic with a semimonarchical presidency to which he was elected the following year, an office he would hold for a decade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

French news outlet Le Monde first reported the officer, referred to as Arthur, logged a 35-minute run on the app while exercising on the deck of aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle on 13 March.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

France is sending its flagship aircraft carrier -- the Charles de Gaulle -- to the eastern Mediterranean.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

“We are gathered here for the Summit Conference,” began French President Charles de Gaulle.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin