1.  dunkirk(n = noun.state) - a crisis in which a desperate effort is the only alternative to defeat; "the Russians had to pull off a Dunkirk to get out of there"
is a kind of crisis

2.  dunkirk(n = noun.location) dunkerque - a seaport in northern France on the North Sea; scene of the evacuation of British forces in 1940 during World War II;
is a kind of port, town

3.  dunkirk(n = noun.act) dunkerque - 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;
is a kind of evacuation, amphibious operation
is a part of second world war, world war 2, world war ii