(1881–1938), Turkish general and statesman, president 1923–38; also called Kemal Pasha. He was elected the first president of the Turkish republic, taking the name of Atatürk (‘father of the Turks’) in 1934. He abolished the caliphate and introduced other policies designed to make Turkey a modern secular state.
Definition of Atatürk, Kemal in US English:
Atatürk, Kemal
proper nounˌatəˈtərk
(1881–1938), Turkish general and statesman; president 1923–38; born Mustafa Kemal ; also called Kemal Pasha. As the first president of the Turkish republic, he abolished the caliphate and introduced other policies designed to make Turkey a modern secular state.