war crime

noun

: a crime (such as genocide or maltreatment of prisoners) committed during or in connection with war

—usually plural

war criminal noun

Examples of war crime in a Sentence

He was found guilty of torture and other war crimes.

Recent Examples on the Web

The war crimes that were brought to the fore on the stage by Macklemore’s speech are the ones that should be the primary focus. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026

Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Kosovo on Thursday in the biggest nationwide protest yet against recent war crimes convictions for four of its wartime rebel leaders. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026

Mamdani has repeatedly called for Netanyahu to be arrested under a warrant from the International Criminal Court alleging war crimes in Gaza. — Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

But while some Israeli military analysts concede that Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza, for Abraham and Szor’s critics, triple confirmation isn’t enough. — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for war crime

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime

Legal Definition

war crime

noun

: an act committed usually during an international war for which individual criminal liability will be imposed by a domestic or international tribunal

specifically : a violation of the laws or customs of war as embodied or recognized by international treaty, court decisions, or established practice

—usually used in pl.

Note: Following World War II, the Charter of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg first codified war crimes including crimes against humanity. Also encompassed in the legal concept of war crimes is the crime of planning or waging a war of aggression or a war in violation of international treaties.