wartime

noun

war·​time ˈwȯr-ˌtīm 

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

There's a lack of solid information on exactly how much oil is moving through Hormuz due to the complexity of tracking ships during wartime, said Bridget Diakun, maritime intelligence and research director at Lloyd's List. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

Some political actors are warning that a vote during wartime, which would require changes to Ukraine’s constitution and other laws, could aid Russia by destabilizing the government and dividing society. — David L. Stern, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026

Interwoven with stories of life during wartime are proposals or instructions, allowing viewers to assess for themselves how much the works in the gallery reflect the artists’ original ideas. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Could similar skills transform the electoral process and make remote voting feasible in wartime? — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wartime

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime

Kids Definition

wartime

noun

war·​time ˈwȯ(ə)r-ˌtīm 

: a period when a war is going on