war

1 of 4

noun

ˈwȯr 

often attributive

1

a(1)

: a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations

(2)

: a period of such armed conflict

(3)

: state of war

b

: the art or science of warfare

c(1)

obsolete : weapons and equipment for war

(2)

archaic : soldiers armed and equipped for war

2

a

: a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism

b

: a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end

a class war

a war against disease

c

: variance, odds sense 2

warless

ˈwȯr-ləs 

adjective

war

2 of 4

verb (1)

ˈwȯr 

warred; warring

intransitive verb

1

: to be in active or vigorous conflict

2

: to engage in warfare

war

3 of 4

adverb or adjective

ˈwär 

chiefly Scotland

: worse

war

4 of 4

verb (2)

ˈwär 

warred; warring

transitive verb

Scotland

: worst, overcome

Synonyms

Noun

• hostilities

Verb (1)

• fight
• battle
• clash (with)
• skirmish (with)
• combat

Examples of war in a Sentence

Noun

They fought a war over the disputed territory.

A war broke out when the colonists demanded their independence.

We need to resolve our conflicts without resorting to war.

People behave differently during a time of war.

The taking of American hostages was seen as an act of war by the United States.

the budget wars in Washington

Verb (1)

continually warring against their neighbors in an effort to expand their territory

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Throughout history, technological advantages have altered the course of wars, sometimes suddenly. —Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025

The president said on Monday that the U.S. will impose 100% tariffs on countries that engage in trade with Russia if there is no peace deal to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days. —Alain Sherter, CBS News, 14 July 2025

Verb

Now college kids, young couple Zed (Milo Manheim) and Addison (Meg Donnelly) find a way to bring together the warring factions of Daywalkers and Vampires for everybody's well-being. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 July 2025

But leaders such as Moore could bridge the warring factions within his party. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English werre, from Anglo-French werre, guerre, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German werra strife; akin to Old High German werran to confuse

Adverb or adjective

Middle English werre, from Old Norse verri, adjective, verr, adverb; akin to Old English wiersa worse — more at worse

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb Or Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing war

• all's fair in love and war
• anti-war
• at war
• civil war
• cold war
• declare war
• go to war
• ground war
• holy war
• hot war
• inter-war
• law of war
• limited war
• man-of-war
• man-o'-war
• man-o'-war bird
• Portuguese man-of-war
• pre-war
• price war
• prisoner of war
• sloop of war
• state of war
• theater of war
• this means war
• tug-of-war
• turf war
• war baby
• war bride
• war chest
• war club
• war crime
• war cry
• war dance
• war effort
• war footing
• war game
• war hawk
• war machine
• war of independence
• war of nerves
• war of words
• war paint
• war party
• war power
• war room
• war story
• war-torn
• war whoop
• war zone
• world war

Rhymes for war

• boar
• boer
• bore
• chore
• cor
• core
• corps
• crore
• door
• drawer
• floor
• flor

Kids Definition

war

1 of 2 noun

ˈwȯ(ə)r 

1

a

: a state or period of armed hostile conflict between states, nations, or groups

b

: the science of warfare

2

a

: a state of hostility, antagonism, or conflict

b

: a struggle between opposing forces or for a particular goal

a war on disease

war

2 of 2 verb

warred; warring

1

: to engage in warfare

warring nations

2

: to be in conflict