Gorbachev

American  

[gawr-buh-chof, -chawf, guhr-buh-chawf] / ˈgɔr bəˌtʃɒf, -ˌtʃɔf, gər bʌˈtʃɔf /

noun

1. Mikhail S(ergeyevich) 1931–2022, Soviet political leader: general secretary of the Communist Party 1985–91; the last president of the Soviet Union 1988–91; Nobel Peace Prize 1990.

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Gorbachev British  

/ ɡərbaˈtʃɒf /

noun

1. Mikhail Sergeevich (mixaˈil sirˈɡjejivitʃ). born 1931, Soviet statesman; general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party (1985–91): president (1988–91). Nobel peace prize 1990. His reforms ended the Communist monopoly of power and led to the break-up of the Soviet Union

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Example Sentences

By 1987, amid the liberal reforms under Mikhail Gorbachev, Natalia Rubinstein was in London reading BBC news bulletins instead of just listening to them.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

“The sticking point was always the Strategic Defense Initiative, which Reagan thinks is essential and Gorbachev thinks is a deal-breaker in their common cause of eliminating nuclear weapons,” Wilson says.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

In 1987, Ronald Reagan stood before the Berlin Wall and challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear it down.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

Gorbachev later denied the remark had been made.

From BBC • Dec. 19, 2025

Gorbachev also claimed to want to see an end to the Cold War.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau