state of war

noun phrase

1
a
: a state of actual armed hostilities regardless of a formal declaration of war
b
: a legal state created and ended by official declaration regardless of actual armed hostilities and usually characterized by operation of the rules of war
2
: the period of time during which a state of war is in effect

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of state of war was in 1634

Dictionary Entries Near state of war

Cite this Entry

“State of war.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/state%20of%20war. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

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