Definition

Noun: A military campaign is a series of connected military operations planned and executed to achieve a specific strategic or operational objective, typically within defined geographical and time limits. It represents a significant phase within a larger war or conflict.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The general planned a military campaign to capture the coastal region.
  • Napoleon's military campaign in Russia ended in disaster.
  • The success of the entire war depended on the autumn military campaign.

Advanced Usage

• "to wage a campaign": To actively conduct or carry out a military campaign.
  • The nation waged a long and costly campaign in the mountains.
• "campaign of attrition": A military campaign designed to wear down the enemy through sustained losses.
  • The war devolved into a brutal campaign of attrition.

Variants and Related Words

• Campaign (n): While "campaign" can refer to non-military organized efforts (e.g., an advertising campaign), "military campaign" specifies its martial context.
• Theater of operations (n): A specific area where military campaigns are conducted.
• Expedition (n): A journey or voyage for a specific purpose, often military, which can be part of a campaign.

Synonyms

• Offensive: A large-scale aggressive military action.
• Operation (often plural: operations): A military action or mission, which is a component of a campaign.

Related Phrases

• Campaign trail: This phrase is related to the non-military meaning of "campaign" (e.g., election campaigning) and is not used in a military context.
• Launch a campaign: To begin a series of military operations.
  • The army was prepared to launch its northern campaign.

Related Idioms

• On campaign: Actively engaged in a military campaign.
  • The soldiers spent two years on campaign in the desert.

Noun

1. several related operations aimed at achieving a particular goal (usually within geographical and temporal constraints)