war crime

noun

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

—usually used in 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

But as the Lavra burned there was no sense that destroying a leading religious and cultural monument in a manner such as this was a war crime. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Some lawmakers have questioned whether that follow-on strike constituted a war crime. — CBS News, 21 June 2026

Alexandra Cabot is a fighter, tackling everything from complex war crimes to dismantling the typically lecherous (and fictional) Hudson University. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 19 June 2026

James Gibson, shared harrowing testimony about their treatment on board the ship during war crimes trials held in Singapore by the British shortly after the end of the conflict. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 18 June 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.