crusades
n. plural-onlyn. a series of religious wars fought in the Middle Ages between Christians and Muslims. People also use this word to describe a strong campaign for a cause they believe in.
n. a series of medieval military expeditions organized by western European Christians to recover the Holy Land from Muslim control. In a broader sense, refers to any vigorous or aggressive movement for the advancement of an idea or cause.
Historians study the crusades to understand medieval Europe.
The museum's new exhibit features armor and maps from the early crusades in the Middle East.
While the historical crusades were defined by territorial and religious conflict, the term has evolved to describe any modern social campaign characterized by intense moral fervor.
When referring to the historical wars of the 11th–13th centuries, the word is typically capitalized and used in the plural.