Definition

Proper noun 1. A major World War I military operation: Refers specifically to the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the final major Allied offensive of World War I on the Western Front in 1918, involving extensive fighting in the Argonne Forest region of France. 2. A significant battle and geographical area: Denotes the forested region in northeastern France that was the site of a prolonged and critical battle, primarily fought by the American Expeditionary Forces.

Usage Examples

• The Argonne Forest was the scene of some of the most intense American fighting in World War I.
• Historians study the tactics used in the Argonne Forest offensive.
• The battle in the Argonne Forest lasted for 47 days and involved over one million American soldiers.

Advanced Usage

• "the Meuse-Argonne": Often used in conjunction with "Meuse" (the adjacent river) to form the full name of the offensive, "Meuse-Argonne Offensive," highlighting the broader geographical scope of the battle.
• Used as a historical reference point for large-scale, difficult infantry advances through challenging terrain.

Variants and Related Words

• Meuse-Argonne Offensive (n): The full name for the military campaign.
• Meuse-Argonne (n): A common shortened form.
• Argonne (n): A shorter form sometimes used to refer to the region or the battle.

Synonyms

• Meuse-Argonne Offensive
• Meuse-Argonne
• (The) Battle of the Argonne Forest

Notes on Meaning

While literally a forest in France, the term "Argonne Forest" in a historical context almost exclusively refers to the 1918 World War I battle. It symbolizes the large-scale entry and costly sacrifice of American forces in the final phase of the war.

Noun

1. an American operation in World War I (1918); American troops under Pershing drove back the German armies which were saved only by the armistice on November 11