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

Cinema for Peace also produces, with recent credits including The Crane’s Call, about an investigation into Russian war crimes committed in Ukraine, and The Quiet Diplomat about former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026

Critics in Congress have called for an investigation into whether that constitutes a war crime. —CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026

The story of Nuremberg war crime trials attorney Roger Barrett also was relayed to the audience. —George Castle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026

One series of strikes in September led some Democratic lawmakers to question whether the Defense officials, including Hegseth, allegedly committed a war crime. —Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2025

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.