Definition of Calais from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary



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a town in northern France. It is the nearest port to England, across the English Channel from Dover. It was captured by the British in 1347 during the Hundred Years War, and remained a British town in France until 1558. Now it is the main port for passenger ships from Dover, and many British people go there to buy things such as alcohol and cigarettes, which have lower tax in France than in Britain. a day trip to Calais