war

1 of 4

noun

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)
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
warless adjective

war

2 of 4

verb (1)

warred; warring

intransitive verb

1
: to be in active or vigorous conflict
2
: to engage in warfare

war

3 of 4

adverb or adjective

chiefly Scotland
: worse

war

4 of 4

verb (2)

warred; warring

Example Sentences

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 See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Russia has lost at least 72 aircraft over the course of the war, many to U.S.-supplied weapons, including at least one Su-35 fighter, the most modern jet currently in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 4 May 2023 The relationship is also mutually beneficial: American forces are learning from Ukrainian soldiers’ engagement with a near-peer adversary—something the U.S. hasn’t encountered since the Korean war. Jahara Matisek, wsj.com, 3 May 2023 After France was defeated, the Confederacy could not use the European country as an ally to win the war, per USA Today. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 3 May 2023 But the two sides have been launching long-range strikes since last week in apparent anticipation of Ukraine’s upcoming counteroffensive, expected to be one of the most decisive phases of the war. Reuters, NBC News, 3 May 2023 Ukraine denied any involvement, saying Moscow could use it for further escalation of the war. David Rising, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2023 The leak has created friction between Ukraine and the United States, its biggest backer in the war. Isabelle Khurshudyan, Anchorage Daily News, 2 May 2023 The trouble for Putin is that Russia does not control the entirety of those four regions, and never has during the war. Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner, 2 May 2023 Schwab-Pomerantz also offered her views on crypto investing and artificial intelligence—and supporting Ukraine in a time of war. Anna Tutova, Fortune Crypto, 2 May 2023
Verb
The series refuses to reduce its warring factions to ideological simplicity, instead embracing the moral complexity of each side and painting its characters in shades of gray. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2023 The 16th main installment takes place in a medieval fantasy world, one where warring nations fight among themselves for dwindling resources. Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2023 On the prospects for peace talks, the warring nations continued to talk past one another, each setting preconditions that the other would call capitulation. Richard Pérez-peña, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2023 The hurdles come as separate agreements brokered last summer by Turkey and the U.N. to keep supplies moving from the warring nations and reduce soaring food prices are up for renewal next month. Arkansas Online, 20 Feb. 2023 The warring nations are both major global suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other affordable food products that developing nations depend on. Karl Ritter, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Mar. 2023 The country split in 2014 between warring factions in the east and west. Mostafa Salem, CNN, 17 Mar. 2023 For the past decade, the group has lived away from Mali due to ongoing violence between the warring northern and southern factions in the country. Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 14 Mar. 2023 Matamoros is home to warring factions of the Gulf drug cartel. Alfredo Corchado, Dallas News, 10 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'war.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of war was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near war

Cite this Entry

“War.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war. Accessed 16 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

war

1 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on war

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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