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Glite Dictionary
Battle of Tarawa

Battle of Tarawa

1 9.5
A World War II battle in 1943 when American Marines took Tarawa Atoll from Japanese forces after heavy fighting
  • proper noun
: Batalla de Tarawa
  • Many historians study the tactics used during the Battle of Tarawa to understand amphibious assaults.

Examples

  • A memorial commemorates those who fell during the fierce fighting at the Battle of Tarawa.

  • The Battle of Tarawa was a significant event in World War II.

  • The Battle of Tarawa marked one of the bloodiest days for the Marines in the Pacific campaign.

  • Many historians study the Battle of Tarawa for its strategic importance.

  • The Battle of Tarawa was a pivotal moment in World War II, showcasing the bravery of the United States Marines.

  • In November 1943, the Battle of Tarawa witnessed fierce fighting as American forces aimed to capture the strategically important tarawa Atoll.

  • The United States Marines faced intense resistance during the Battle of Tarawa, leading to heavy casualties on both sides.

Synonyms

Tarawa
vsBattle of Tarawa
2 9.4

A group of battles in 1943 where United States Marines captured islands from Japanese soldiers

is one specific November 1943 battle capturing a single atoll after intense fighting
Tarawa-Makin
vsBattle of Tarawa
9.9

Two World War II battles in November 1943 where US Marines took Pacific islands from Japan after fierce fighting

is narrower as it names one atoll capture not two island assaults

Surface Forms

Battle of Tarawa main

Morphology

battle + of + Tarawa

The meaning 'a battle at Tarawa' is directly derivable from combining 'battle' (a large violent fight) with the place name 'Tarawa' via the common English pattern 'Battle of X'. This compositional pattern is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would understand it refers to an engagement at Tarawa even if they lack specific historical details.

Etymology

Battle of Tarawa was a World War II fight on the tiny Pacific island called Tarawa, when U.S. Marines landed from ships 'to capture' the island from Japanese forces. Because the fighting was so fierce and many soldiers died, the name Battle of Tarawa is remembered as a very hard, bloody battle and now refers to that specific event.