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 strike earned international condemnation and was deemed a possible war crime by Human Rights Watch. — Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Suspects who do not accept charges and are found guilty of committing war crimes face up to 20 years in prison. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

The Norwegian Nobel Committee honored Pillay, 85, for her contributions to international law and efforts to hold perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide accountable. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Many of them have been sentenced in absentia for speaking about war crimes. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 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.