MacArthur

American  

[muhk-ahr-ther, muh-kahr-] / məkˈɑr θər, məˈkɑr- /

noun

1. Douglas, 1880–1964, U.S. general: supreme commander of allied forces in southwestern Pacific Ocean during World War II and of United Nations forces in Korea 1950–51.

---

MacArthur ¹ British  

/ məˈkɑːθə /

noun

1. Douglas. 1880–1964, US general. During World War II he became commanding general of US armed forces in the Pacific (1944) and accepted the surrender of Japan, the Allied occupation of which he commanded (1945–51). He was commander in chief of United Nations forces in Korea (1950–51) until dismissed by President Truman

2. Dame Ellen (Patricia) born 1976, English yachtswoman; in 2005 she set a new world record for the fastest solo world circumnavigation

---

Macarthur ² British  

/ məˈkɑːθə /

noun

1. John. 1767–1834, Australian military officer, pastoralist, and entrepreneur, born in England. He established the breeding of merino sheep in Australia and was influential in founding the Australian wool industry

---

Compare meaning

How does macarthur compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Truman vs. MacArthur

Example Sentences

Like his nemesis, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Tojo had a flawed ear for domestic politics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

It cost her dearly as she finished just 1.89 points behind Liu, who surged to gold with her Donna Summer's disco version of "MacArthur Park".

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

Wiseman was also awarded Guggenheim and MacArthur Prize fellowships.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026

On a warm Friday morning, a group of organizers, academics and public officials stood in MacArthur Park, peering at an empty soccer field.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2026

But US General Douglas MacArthur had stripped him of his divinity, so now he was a man, not a god.

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata