Definition

Proper noun A major battle of World War I fought in northwestern France in 1918, resulting in a decisive Allied victory that halted the final German offensive of the war.

Usage

This term is used as a proper noun to refer to a specific historical military engagement. It is typically used in historical, academic, and educational contexts when discussing World War I.

Examples

• The Battle of the Marne was a turning point in World War I.
• Historians often study the tactics used during the Battle of the Marne.
• The Allied success at the Battle of the Marne prevented a German advance on Paris.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metonymically to represent the concept of a decisive, war-altering defensive victory.
  • The company's financial recovery was its own Battle of the Marne, stopping the hostile takeover.

Variants and Related Words

• Marne (Proper noun): The river in France near which the battle took place. Often used shorthand for the battle itself in historical writing (e.g., "the second Marne").
• Second Battle of the Marne (Proper noun): The official name for the 1918 engagement, used to distinguish it from the First Battle of the Marne fought in 1914.

Synonyms

• Second Battle of the Marne (the full, precise name)
• The Marne (common shorthand in historical context)

Related Phrases

• The Hundred Days Offensive: The broader Allied offensive campaign that began with the victory at the Battle of the Marne.
• Spring Offensive: The name for the German offensive operations in 1918 that the Battle of the Marne ultimately stopped.

Noun

1. a World War I battle in northwestern France where the Allies defeated the Germans in 1918