1
: a French political movement during World War II led by Charles de Gaulle in opposition to the Vichy regime
2
: a postwar French political movement led by Charles de Gaulle
Gaullist adjective or noun

Gaullist

2 of 2

noun (2)

Gaull·​ist
-lə̇st
plural -s
: a follower of the French military and political leader Charles de Gaulle either during World War II or in postwar French rightist politics

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Charles de Gaulle

Noun (2)

French gaulliste, from General de Gaulle + French -iste -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1943, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Gaullism was in 1943

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Cite this Entry

“Gaullism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Gaullism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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