prop. n. the name of a town and a battle fought there, in World War II (1940) when 330, 000 Allied troops had to be evacuated from the beaches at Dunkirk in a desperate retreat under enemy fire. Most of the forces were safely evacuated to England. Syn. -- Dunkirk. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
(n) an amphibious evacuation in World War II (1940) when 330, 000 Allied troops had to be evacuated from the beaches in northern France in a desperate retreat under enemy fire, Syn. Dunkerque