Dunkirk

/ˈdʌnkərk/

/ˈdʌnkək/

Other forms: Dunkirks

Definitions of Dunkirk

1. noun

   a seaport in northern France on the North Sea; scene of the evacuation of British forces in 1940 during World War II
   synonyms: Dunkerque

   example of:

   port

   a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

   town

   an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
2. noun

   an amphibious evacuation in World War II (1940) when 330,000 Allied troops had to be evacuated from the beaches in northern France in a desperate retreat under enemy fire
   synonyms: Dunkerque

   example of:

   evacuation

   the act of evacuating; leaving a place in an orderly fashion; especially for protection

   amphibious operation

   a military operation by both land and sea forces
3. noun

   a crisis in which a desperate effort is the only alternative to defeat
   “the Russians had to pull off a Dunkirk to get out of there”

   type of:

   crisis

   an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty