Definition of war
1a (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 warb : the art or science of warfarec (1) obsolete : weapons and equipment for war (2) archaic : soldiers armed and equipped for war
2a : a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonismb : a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end a class war a war against diseasec : variance, odds 3
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Examples of war in a sentence
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
Origin and Etymology of war
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
First Known Use: 12th century
war
Definition of war
warred
;warring
intransitive verb
1 : to be in active or vigorous conflict
2 : to engage in warfare
13th Century
First Known Use of war
13th century
Origin and Etymology of war
Middle English werre, from Old Norse verri, adjective, verr, adverb; akin to Old English wiersa worse — more at worse
First Known Use: 13th century
15th Century
First Known Use of war
15th century
WAR Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of war for English Language Learners
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: a state or period of fighting between countries or groups
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: a situation in which people or groups compete with or fight against each other
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: an organized effort by a government or other large organization to stop or defeat something that is viewed as dangerous or bad
WAR Defined for Kids
Definition of war for Students
1 : a state or period of fighting between states or nations
2 : a struggle between opposing forces or for a particular end the war on poverty
Learn More about war
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See words that rhyme with war Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for war Spanish Central: Translation of war Nglish: Translation of war for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of war for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about war
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