1. A French soldier, especially an infantryman who served in World War I.
Usage: historical; often capitalized when referring to the specific soldiers of WWI

Examples

• The poilus fought bravely in the trenches during the First World War.
• Many poilus were conscripted into the French army between 1914 and 1918.
• The term poilu comes from the French word for 'hairy,' a nickname for the bearded soldiers.
• Memorials across France honor the sacrifice of the poilus who died in combat.
• The poilus endured harsh conditions and heavy casualties on the Western Front.