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expeditionary force
/ˌɛkspɪˈdiʃənɛri ˈfɔːrs/
military unit sent on a specific mission
The government deployed an expeditionary force to stabilize the region.
A military unit was sent to a foreign area to restore order.
formal
A military unit organized and deployed for a specific mission, often overseas, to achieve strategic or tactical objectives.
The United Nations authorized an expeditionary force to provide humanitarian aid during the crisis.
A military unit was sent to deliver aid and support in a troubled area.
Historically, expeditionary forces were used to project power beyond a nation's borders.
Military units were deployed to distant locations to extend a country's influence.
The term emphasizes the temporary and mission-specific nature of the deployment.
Collocations
deploy an expeditionary forceto send a military unit on a missionexpeditionary force operationsmilitary actions conducted by such units
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
Use 'expeditionary force' for strategic or temporary missions, not for routine military presence.
Gold Rule
Formal Usage
This phrase is formal and typically used in military, diplomatic, or strategic discussions.
Word Origin
From 'expedition' (a journey undertaken for a particular purpose) + 'force' (a group of military personnel). The phrase became prominent in the 20th century to describe specialized deployments.
Usage Notes
Often used in formal military or diplomatic contexts to describe overseas operations. Avoid using it for routine or domestic military activities.
Word Breakdown
expeditionary
relating to a mission or journey
rootforce
a group of military personnel
rootEnglish Dictionary