Definition

1. Noun:

   • A medieval military expedition: One of a series of wars fought by European Christians in the 11th to 13th centuries to reclaim control of the Holy Land from Muslim rule.
   • A vigorous, organized effort for a cause: A sustained and energetic campaign to achieve a specific social, political, or moral goal.

2. Verb:

   • To engage in a crusade: To lead or take part in a forceful, prolonged campaign for a particular cause or principle.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The Fourth Crusade resulted in the sack of Constantinople in 1204.
  • She launched a public crusade against corruption in local government.

• Verb:

  • He has crusaded for environmental protection his entire career.
  • The organization crusades against animal cruelty.

Advanced Usage

• "to be on a crusade": To be actively and determinedly involved in a campaign.

  • The journalist was on a personal crusade to expose the truth.

• "crusade for/against something": A common structure to specify the goal or target of the campaign.

  • Their crusade for justice gained national attention.

Variants and Related Words

• Crusader (n): A person who campaigns vigorously for social, political, or religious change; historically, a participant in the medieval Crusades.
  • She is a tireless crusader for human rights.

Synonyms

• Noun: Campaign, drive, movement, push, struggle.
• Verb: Campaign, fight, battle, agitate, champion.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Crusade against: To campaign actively in opposition to something.

  • The group crusaded against the new legislation.

• Crusade for: To campaign actively in support of something.

  • He crusaded for better funding for schools.

Related Idioms

• To carry the crusade forward: To continue or advance a campaign or effort.

  • After the founder retired, others vowed to carry the crusade forward.

• A one-man crusade: A campaign pursued energetically by a single individual.

  • What started as a one-man crusade eventually became a national movement.

Noun

1. any of the more or less continuous military expeditions in the 11th to 13th centuries when Christian powers of Europe tried to recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims
2. a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end
   • he supported populist campaigns
   • they worked in the cause of world peace
   • the team was ready for a drive toward the pennant
   • the movement to end slavery
   • contributed to the war effort

Verb

1. go on a crusade; fight a holy war
2. exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for
   • The liberal party pushed for reforms
   • She is crusading for women's rights
   • The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate