Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A harbor on Oahu, Hawaii: A natural harbor located to the west of Honolulu on the island of Oahu.
   • A United States naval base: The location of a major U.S. Navy installation.
   • A historical event: The site of the surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service against the United States on December 7, 1941, which led to the U.S. entry into World War II.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Geographic location):
  • The USS Arizona Memorial is located in Pearl Harbor.
  • The naval base at Pearl Harbor is strategically important.
• Proper noun (Historical event):
  • The attack on Pearl Harbor was a pivotal moment in world history.
  • We studied the causes and consequences of Pearl Harbor in class.

Advanced Usage

• "a Pearl Harbor": Used metaphorically to describe a devastating surprise attack or event.
  • The cyberattack was described as a digital Pearl Harbor for the company.
  • The scandal was a political Pearl Harbor for the administration.

Variants and Related Words

• Pearl Harbor attack (noun phrase): Specifically refers to the military strike event of December 7, 1941.
  • The Pearl Harbor attack crippled the Pacific Fleet.
• Pre-Pearl Harbor / Post-Pearl Harbor (adjective phrases): Referring to the time periods before or after the event.
  • Pre-Pearl Harbor foreign policy was markedly different.

Synonyms

• The December 7th attack: A direct reference to the event.
• The Hawaiian strike: A less common reference focusing on the location.

Related Phrases

• "Remember Pearl Harbor!": A historical rallying cry and slogan used after the attack to promote American patriotism and support for the war effort.
  • Posters with the phrase "Remember Pearl Harbor!" were widespread.
• "A date which will live in infamy": The opening phrase from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's speech to Congress describing the attack (often associated with Pearl Harbor).
  • He quoted the "date of infamy" line when discussing Pearl Harbor.

Noun

1. a harbor on Oahu to the west of Honolulu; location of a United States naval base that was attacked by the Japanese on 7 Dec 1941