cold war

noun

|Updated on: 29 Jul 2018

Definition of cold war

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 capitalized C&W : the ideological conflict between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. 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)

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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 of cold war from the Web

As the Arab cold war spreads, Iran and other foes are gaining advantage.

— The Economist, "How to ensure Muhammad bin Salman’s reforms succeed," 23 June 2018
That Florence met Edward at a gathering for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament doesn’t count as a selling point for her mom who has no problem living in a perpetual state of cold war with both Russia and her daughter.

— cary darling, Houston Chronicle, "Review: ‘On Chesil Beach’ floats on strong performances," 31 May 2018
In the first two and a half seasons of the series, we’re introduced to a solar system in the midst of a cold war between Earth, Mars, and the inhabitants of the Outer Planets.

— andrew liptak, The Verge, "Now is the perfect time to start watching The Expanse," 24 May 2018
Seo is among 19 cold war-era North Korean spies and guerrillas who have served their time in South Korean prisons and are pushing to return to the North.

— hyung-jin kim, The Christian Science Monitor, "Summits give aging North Korean spies hope of returning home," 23 May 2018
Guillermo del Toro's cold war fairy tale The Shape of Water is Laustsen's first ASC nomination.

— carolyn giardina, The Hollywood Reporter, "ASC Awards: 'Mudbound' Cinematographer Rachel Morrison Becomes First Woman Nominated in Features," 9 Jan. 2018
Over the years that followed, a full-on cold war blossomed.

— chris colin, Outside Online, "Drawing a Line in the Sand Over River Rights," 30 May 2018
Some analysts say this would involve a tech war or an economic cold war.

— The Economist, "A threatened trade war between China and America may be on hold," 24 May 2018
The implication of this approach is a return to the cold war tenet of mutually assured destruction.

— billy perrigo, Time, "A Global Arms Race for Killer Robots Is Transforming the Battlefield," 9 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cold war.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of cold war

1945

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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COLD WAR Defined for English Language Learners

cold war

noun

Definition of cold war for English Language Learners

the Cold War : the nonviolent conflict between the U.S. and the former U.S.S.R. after 1945
: a conflict or dispute between two groups that does not involve actual fighting