Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A city in France: Rheims (also spelled Reims) is a city located in the northeastern part of France, situated to the east of Paris. It is historically significant as the traditional site for the coronation of French kings. It also holds modern historical importance as the location where the German armed forces surrendered unconditionally in 1945, marking a definitive end to World War II in Europe.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The magnificent cathedral in Rheims has witnessed numerous royal coronations.
  • The unconditional surrender at Rheims in 1945 was a pivotal moment in world history.
  • We took a day trip from Paris to visit the champagne houses of Rheims.

Advanced Usage

• "The Rheims surrender": A historical term referring specifically to the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender on May 7, 1945, at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) in Rheims.
  • The Rheims surrender was followed by a second, more formal signing in Berlin.

Variants and Related Words

• Reims: The more common contemporary spelling for the same city.
  • Reims is considered the capital of the Champagne region.

Synonyms

• City: A large human settlement. (This is a general category, not a direct synonym.)
• Municipality: A city or town with its own local government.

Noun

1. a city in northeastern France to the east of Paris; scene of the coronation of most French kings; site of the unconditional German surrender in 1945 at the end of World War II