crusade

Everyday

1. (history, church) The Crusades were wars from about 1095 to 1291 in which Christian armies from Europe fought mainly to take control of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. tree →
2. A crusade is a long, strong effort to change something that people believe is wrong. tree →
3. To crusade is to work hard and publicly for a cause. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, the Crusades involve knights, Richard the Lionheart and Saladin; many people on all sides died, and today historians see the wars as violent and complicated, remembered differently by Christians, Muslims and Jews. In everyday life and news, a crusade is a campaign: a crusade against litter or for clean water. Phrases: «a crusade against», «on a crusade», «the First Crusade».

Examples

• The First Crusade began in 1096. tree →
• Richard the Lionheart fought in the Third Crusade. tree →
• Thousands died in the Crusades on all sides. tree →
• Our class started a crusade against plastic litter. tree →
• She crusaded for safer crossings near schools. tree →
• Grandad is on a crusade to get everyone to recycle. tree →
• The crusaders built castles in the Holy Land. tree →

Note

Noun for a person: crusader. Capital C for the historical wars (the Crusades). Today some people avoid «crusade» for campaigns because of the violent history, so «campaign» is often a better choice.