war

noun, often attributive \ ˈwȯr \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of war

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 3

—

warless

play \ˈwȯr-ləs\ adjective

See war defined for English-language learners

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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

Recent Examples of war from the Web

The 17-year-old talent is set to be at the centre of a bidding war this summer, with Tottenham Hotspur chief among those keen to land the Championship Player of the Year.

— SI.com, "Barcelona Monitoring Fulham Wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon as Battle for Teenager's Signature Hots Up," 18 Apr. 2018
Newly elected to his position in the early days of the war, the Prime Minister is faced with the task of determining how to deal with Adolf Hitler and the growing Nazi threat.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Manchester Edition," 17 Apr. 2018
During the war, rebel groups have established checkpoints that control the movement of people and goods, taxed local businesses, founded courts to resolve local disputes, coordinated agricultural production and organized schooling.

— josé ciro martínez, Washington Post, "Why the Syrian regime has been targeting civilian infrastructure," 16 Apr. 2018
Contrary to liberal optimism, war, not peace, drove the development of modern capitalism.

— heather souvaine horn, The New Republic, "A System in Denial," 16 Apr. 2018
Israel has placed a high priority on halting the tunnel threat since Hamas infiltrated Israel during the war.

— aya batrawy, BostonGlobe.com, "Arab leaders meet to unify ranks, with eye on Iran," 15 Apr. 2018
After being discharged at war’s end, Mr. Footner returned to Loyola and obtained a bachelor’s degree in economics on the GI Bill.

— frederick n. rasmussen, baltimoresun.com, "Geoffrey M. Footner, a Baltimore shipping executive and author who wrote about historic Chesapeake Bay vessels," 14 Apr. 2018
The Union also flooded the market with counterfeit Confederate currency, and at the end of the war, the bills lost all value.

— marlena scott, Teen Vogue, "The Complete History of Money in America, From Pelts to Pennies," 13 Apr. 2018
Doing so would put the GOP at war with itself and unify Democrats as the nation heads toward the November midterm elections.

— Fortune, "How President Trump Could Imperil His Presidency by Firing Robert Mueller," 12 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'war.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

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First Known Use: 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

war Synonyms

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

war

verb

Definition of war

warred; warring

intransitive verb

1 : to be in active or vigorous conflict

2 : to engage in warfare

Recent Examples of war from the Web

One ever feels his two-ness–an American, a Negro; two souls … two warring ideals in one dark body.

— allison p. davis, The Cut, "Gabrielle Union Can’t Believe She Just Said That," 17 Oct. 2017
After two decades of warring over the fundamental question of whether government should help finance pro-sports enterprises, Seattle now finds itself in the polar-opposite position: The billionaires are fighting to do business with us.

— danny westneat, The Seattle Times, "Calling baloney on all that: Our town naysayer was right all along about the stadium swindle," 13 Sep. 2017
Amidst warring families, arranged marriages, and untimely deaths, passion ignites in the opulent world of Renaissance Italy.

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do this week: Oct. 24-29," 23 Oct. 2017
In 1991, Cambodia's warring factions and representatives of 18 other nations signed a peace treaty in Paris.

— CBS News, "Today in history: A controversial rape comment and key Civil War battle," 23 Oct. 2017
Meanwhile, even more drama was unfolding with the two warring Homesite developers, Saab and Soueid.

— jennifer dixon, Detroit Free Press, "Bad deal in Dearborn: Lawsuits, punches and a car for the mayor," 8 Oct. 2017
His obvious frustration warred with his inherent optimism.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Spanos deserves what is happening to Chargers, players don't," 1 Oct. 2017
The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed $7.9 billion in Harvey disaster relief as warring Republicans and Democrats united to help victims of the storm in Texas and Louisiana.

— michael biesecker, The Seattle Times, "Irma looms as FEMA still focused on responding to Harvey," 7 Sep. 2017
The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed $7.9 billion in Harvey disaster relief as warring Republicans and Democrats united to help victims of that storm in Texas and Louisiana.

— kristenlbellstrom, Fortune, "FEMA’s Emergency Fund Expected to Run Dry By the End of This Week," 7 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of war

13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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war

adverb or adjective \ ˈwär \

Definition of war

chiefly Scotland

: worse

Origin and Etymology of war

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

war

verb \ ˈwär \

Definition of war

warred; warring

transitive verb

Scotland

: worst, overcome

First Known Use of war

15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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WAR Defined for English Language Learners

war

noun

Definition of war for English Language Learners

: a state or period of fighting between countries or groups
: a situation in which people or groups compete with or fight against each other
: an organized effort by a government or other large organization to stop or defeat something that is viewed as dangerous or bad