Definition

Proper noun A significant military engagement that occurred on May 5, 1862, near the city of Puebla, Mexico. In this battle, the outnumbered and ill-equipped Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, achieved a decisive victory against the invading forces of the Second French Empire, commanded by General Charles de Lorencez. This event is commemorated annually in Mexico and among Mexican communities abroad as Cinco de Mayo.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The Battle of Puebla is celebrated every year on the fifth of May.
  • Historians study the tactics used during the Battle of Puebla to understand how the Mexican army secured its unlikely victory.
  • A monument was erected to honor the heroes of the Battle of Puebla.

Advanced Usage

• "the legacy of the Battle of Puebla": Refers to the long-term cultural, historical, and nationalistic impact of the event.
  • The legacy of the Battle of Puebla extends beyond military history, serving as a powerful symbol of Mexican resilience.

Variants and Related Words

• Cinco de Mayo (n): The holiday (May 5th) that commemorates the victory at the Battle of Puebla. It is not Mexico's Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16.
  • Cinco de Mayo festivities often include parades, music, and traditional food.

Synonyms

• Puebla engagement: A less common, more formal term for the same historical event.
• Cinco de Mayo battle: A descriptive synonym linking the event directly to the holiday.

Related Phrases

• "a Puebla-like victory": Used metaphorically to describe an unexpected triumph against a stronger opponent.
  • The underdog team's win was a Puebla-like victory against the league champions.

Noun

1. a battle in which Mexican forces defeated the French in 1862