Smolensk

[ smoh-lensk, Russian smuh-lyensk ]

/ smoʊˈlɛnsk, Russian smʌˈlyɛnsk /

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noun

a city in the W Russian Federation in Europe, on the upper Dnieper, SW of Moscow: Russians defeated by Napoleon 1812.

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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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Words nearby Smolensk

Smoky Mountains, smoky quartz, Smoky River, smoky topaz, smolder, Smolensk, Smollett, smolt, S.M.O.M., smooch, smoodge

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use Smolensk in a sentence

Where Napoleon went wrong was he simply took one bad decision to go north back through Smolensk, rather than going south.
Napoleon Was a Dynamite Dictator|J.P. O’Malley|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A plane crash at Smolensk in Russia four years ago wiped out the Warsaw leadership.
Did Putin Blow Up the Whole Polish Government in 2010? A Second Look.|Will Cathcart|April 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gunther is sent by his superiors to Smolensk to investigate reports of a Russian massacre of Polish troops in 1940.
This Week’s Hot Reads: April 15, 2013|Nicholas Mancusi|April 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Jakoś to będzie, the pilot probably said to himself, before missing the runway and snagging treetops near the Smolensk airport.
Poland's Demons Haunt It Again|Magdalena Rittenhouse|April 12, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Of course, it is far too soon to judge what caused the crash today in Smolensk.
Poland's Deadly Decision|Clive Irving|April 10, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The event served as a pretext for Vasili to march his troops into Lituania and besiege Smolensk.
The Rise of the Russian Empire|Hector H. Munro
The move was well conceived and swiftly executed, but its success stopped short at the outworks of Smolensk.
The Rise of the Russian Empire|Hector H. Munro
The disaster to the Moskovite arms roused the spirit of the Polish faction within the walls of Smolensk.
The Rise of the Russian Empire|Hector H. Munro
The harrying of the provinces of Sieversk and Smolensk wound up the Polish campaign for the year.
The Rise of the Russian Empire|Hector H. Munro
With him came his loyal brother Kestout, and, because he must, the Kniaz of Smolensk.
The Rise of the Russian Empire|Hector H. Munro

British Dictionary definitions for Smolensk

Smolensk

/ (Russian smaˈljɛnsk, English ˈsmɒlɛnsk) /

noun

a city in W Russia, on the Dnieper River: a major commercial centre in medieval times; scene of severe fighting (1941 and 1943) in World War II. Pop: 323 000 (2005 est)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012