civil war

noun

plural civil wars

: a war between opposing groups of citizens of the same country

a country on the brink of (a) civil war

—often used in the capitalized names of specific wars

the Spanish Civil War

(American/U.S.) Civil War monuments

Note: The American Civil War, fought 1861–1865 between the United States and 11 southern states that had seceded from it, is also commonly known as the U.S. Civil War, or especially in the U.S. as the War Between the States or simply the Civil War.

Examples of civil war in a Sentence

a region that has had many civil wars

The country is on the brink of civil war.

Recent Examples on the Web

Saturday's toll reflected the rapid worsening of Yemen's civil war, where a yearslong truce fell apart over the summer. — Ahmed Hatem, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026

However, until recently the US has selectively supported investigations, for instance into war crimes in Darfur and during the Syrian civil war, and – under President Biden – into Russian atrocities in Ukraine. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 Nov. 2026

In many newly independent countries with weak institutions, these conflicts turned into long-lasting civil wars that inflicted a grim toll on society and the economy. — Daron Acemoglu, Time, 7 Nov. 2026

The Vance post was the highest-level opening salvo in a civil war that had been brewing for some time. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for civil war

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore
• heretofore

Kids Definition

civil war

noun

: a war between opposing groups of citizens of the same country or nation