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

And a president openly threatening to commit war crimes by targeting civilian infrastructure in Iran—and floating preemptive strikes against Cuba. —John Whitehead, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026

Through a detailed examination of footage posted by Israeli soldiers themselves, the film documents potential war crimes, including civilian casualties, torture, and destruction of infrastructure, delivering unprecedented accountability and real-time evidence. —Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is also facing charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity with the ICC, but his nation does not have a Venice Biennale pavilion. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Apr. 2026

Lebanon’s prime minister has accused Israel of war crimes after an airstrike in the south of the country on Wednesday killed one journalist and seriously wounded another. —Charbel Mallo, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 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.