wartime

noun

war·​time ˈwȯr-ˌtīm How to pronounce wartime (audio)
often attributive
: a period during which a war is in progress
rationing during wartime

Examples of wartime in a Sentence

Many goods were rationed during wartime.
Recent Examples on the Web Princess Kate wore the earrings for the solemn ceremony at The Cenotaph war memorial, where King Charles and Prince William laid wreaths to remember those who died or suffered during wartime. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023 The notes offer a window into the lives of everyday people during wartime, Morieux tells NPR’s Kai McNamee. Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Nov. 2023 The director is referring to the special leg of IBF Classic in 2022, created to support Ukrainian filmmakers during wartime. Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 8 Nov. 2023 It was first enacted by the federal government as a way to save coal (by adjusting clocks to accommodate for more daytime and thus needing less energy for light) during World War I in the spring of 1918, and was only meant to exist during wartime. People Staff, Peoplemag, 3 Nov. 2023 The crisis complicates an ongoing Biden administration effort to develop far-reaching safeguards to prevent civilian deaths in wartime, an issue that dogged the United States during two decades of counterinsurgent wars. John Hudson, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2023 Hers was the abiding nostalgia of the immigrant, of one who’d come of age in wartime and for whom leaving home had been experienced as a mortal injury. Sigrid Nunez, Harper's Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023 World & Nation Rosh Hashana in wartime: As missiles fall, Jews in Ukraine find hope, even joy Sept. 17, 2023 In the drive to prepare for winter, there have been some missteps. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2023 Holding free and fair elections in wartime is virtually impossible and also ill-advised, according to Ukrainian officials, election experts and democracy advocates. John Hudson, Washington Post, 24 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wartime.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wartime was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near wartime

Cite this Entry

“Wartime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wartime. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

wartime

noun
war·​time ˈwȯ(ə)r-ˌtīm How to pronounce wartime (audio)
: a period when a war is going on

More from Merriam-Webster on wartime

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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