ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sherman

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈʃɝmən// sher·man Archaic Informal

n. a heavy tank used by the United States and its allies during World War II. It is a famous piece of military history often seen in old movies or museums.

n. the primary medium tank used by the United States and several other Allied nations during World War II. Formally designated as the M4, it is widely recognised for its reliability and mass production.


SIMPLE

The museum has a restored Sherman tank on display.

CONTEXTUAL

During the final years of the war, the Sherman became the backbone of the Allied armored divisions across Europe.

COMPLEX

Military historians often debate the Sherman's effectiveness against heavier German armor, noting that its mechanical reliability frequently outweighed its disadvantages in firepower and protection.

Origin

Sense 1: From Middle English schereman, scherman; equivalent to shear + -man.

Usage

Usually capitalized as it refers to a specific historical model named after General William Tecumseh Sherman.

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