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

Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest. —City News Service, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026

The novel became a post-civil war sensation, has been a staple of American literature classes ever since, and has inspired multiple films. —Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026

The conflict, that began with anti-government protests in March 2011 before turning into a civil war, has left half a million people dead and over 1 million wounded. —ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026

Any attempt to disarm Hezbollah risks civil war. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for civil war

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

Kids Definition

civil war

noun

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