(born 1943), Polish trade unionist and statesman, president 1990–5. The founder of Solidarity (1980), he was imprisoned 1981–2 after the movement was banned. After Solidarity's landslide victory in the 1989 elections he became president. Nobel Peace Prize (1983).
Definition of Wałęsa, Lech in US English:
Wałęsa, Lech
proper nounvəˈwensə
(born 1943), Polish labor leader and statesman; president 1990–5. The founder of the labor union called Solidarity (1980), he was imprisoned 1981–2 after the movement was banned. After Solidarity's landslide victory in the 1989 elections, he became president. Nobel Peace Prize (1983).