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

• conflagration
• conflict
• hostilities
• hot war

Verb (1)

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

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

Continuing to ignore these problems, election after election, will only embolden would-be media manipulators and drive new advances in net war. —Joan Donovan, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2024

Zoom in: Former President Trump and Vice President Harris are waging a multiple-front war to attract swing voters ages 18-29 — the most racially diverse age group in the electorate — and persuade them to cast ballots. —Noah Bressner, Axios, 13 Sep. 2024

Verb

The two warring sides blame the other for a failure so far to reach a cease-fire that would end the fighting and see the release of hostages. —Nidal Al-Mughrabi, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2024

The people of Switzerland would just like to be left alone to hunt and live quiet lives of pastoral bliss, but warring factions within the Holy Roman Empire have other plans. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2024

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

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