world war

noun

Synonyms of world warnext
: a war engaged in by all or most of the principal nations of the world
especially, World War : either of two such wars of the first half of the 20th century

Examples of world war in a Sentence

He fought in both World Wars. The nations were prepared for world war.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Between world wars, Pan Am used the airport for takeoffs and landings of its famous flying boats, the Clippers, eventually leading to the groundbreaking and construction of the airport. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026 Houdry was a hero of both world wars. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026 More than a handful were around in 1994 when a work stoppage did what world wars and pandemics could not — cancel a World Series. Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 The market became a place where the neighborhood met and ate through the Great Depression and world wars. Noelle Alviz-Gransee march 16, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for world war

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of world war was in 1848

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Cite this Entry

“World war.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/world%20war. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

world war

noun
: a war involving all or most of the chief nations of the world
especially, capitalized both Ws : either of two such wars of the 20th century

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