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

Traffic through the strait rose after the deal was signed but remained far short of prewar levels and has plummeted in recent days as fighting has escalated. — Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2026

But the president is no longer calling for the return to prewar arrangements, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a toll-free international waterway. — Joseph Wilkins,sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 July 2026

This powder room in a family’s prewar apartment off New York’s Central Park is conveniently adjacent to a bar and dining area. — Alia Akkam, Architectural Digest, 13 July 2026

Traffic had picked up after last month’s agreement but remained well below prewar levels. — Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 13 July 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