prewar

adjective

pre·​war ˌprē-ˈwȯr 

variants or pre-war

: occurring or existing before a war and especially before World War II

prewar conditions

the prewar era/period/years

the country's prewar population

prewar levels of industrial production

an apartment in a prewar building

Examples of prewar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Middle East oil exports topped prewar levels last week as shipping companies use alternative routes to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Nevertheless, manufacturing on both sides of the border went back to prewar ways of producing things domestically. — Stefano Tijerina, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026

When time came to move, King envisioned a prewar warren of cozy rooms, with a fireplace, outdoor space, and an overdue division of life and work. — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026

Crude exports through Hormuz have pulled back after touching prewar levels in September. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prewar

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

Kids Definition

prewar

adjective

pre·​war

ˈprē-ˈwȯ(ə)r

: occurring or existing before a war