Franco, Francisco
Syllabification: (Fran·co, Francisco)
Pronunciation: /ˈfraNGkō/
Definition of Franco, Francisco
- (1892–1975), Spanish general and dictator; head of state 1939–75. Leader of the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War, he became head of the Falange Party in 1937 and proclaimed himself Caudillo (“leader”) of Spain. With the defeat of the republic in 1939, he took control of the government and established a dictatorship that ruled Spain until his death.