cold war

noun

1

: a conflict over ideological differences carried on by methods short of sustained overt military action and usually without breaking off diplomatic relations

specifically, often Cold War : the ideological conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the second half of the 20th century compare hot war

2

: a condition of rivalry, mistrust, and often open hostility short of violence especially between power groups (such as labor and management)

Examples of cold war in a Sentence

the era of the Cold War

the cold war between the party's more liberal and conservative members

Recent Examples on the Web

For a nation recovering from global conflict, the spectacle of two powerful women waging a cold war of words was irresistible. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2026

The Saudis, then mired in a regional cold war with Iran, viewed the Houthis as an Iranian proxy force that threatened the kingdom’s borders. — Kareem Fahim, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026

During Wallace and Shakur’s own rift, Knight and Combs’ own cold war simmered and ran even hotter than many initially believed. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 2 Sep. 2026

What started as the high point of post–Cold War American power—organizing an international coalition to end Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait—turned into a decades-long obligation. — Michael Fuchs, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cold war

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids Definition

cold war

noun

: a struggle over political differences (as of two nations) carried on by methods short of war and usually without breaking off diplomatic relations