First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
1war
noun, often attributive \ˈwȯr\
: a state or period of fighting between countries or groups
: a situation in which people or groups compete with or fight against each other
: an organized effort by a government or other large organization to stop or defeat something that is viewed as dangerous or bad
Full Definition of WAR
1
a (1) : a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations (2) : a period of such armed conflict (3) : state of war b : the art or science of warfare c (1) obsolete : weapons and equipment for war (2) archaic : soldiers armed and equipped for war
2
a : a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism b : a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end <a class war> <a war against disease> c : variance, odds 3
— war·less \-ləs\ adjective
See war defined for English-language learners
See war defined for kids
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Origin of WAR
Middle English werre, from Anglo-French werre, guerre, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German werra strife; akin to Old High German werran to confuse
Related to WAR
- Synonyms
- conflagration, conflict, hostilities, hot war
- Antonyms
- peace
2war
verb
warredwar·ring
Definition of WAR
intransitive verb
1
: to be in active or vigorous conflict
2
: to engage in warfare
First Known Use of WAR
13th century
3war
adverb or adjective \ˈwär\
Definition of WAR
chiefly Scottish : worse
Origin of WAR
Middle English werre, from Old Norse verri, adjective, verr, adverb; akin to Old English wiersa worse — more at worse
First Known Use: 13th century
4war
verb \ˈwär\
warredwar·ring
WAR[1] Defined for Kids
1war
noun \ˈwȯr\
Definition of WAR for Kids
1
: a state or period of fighting between states or nations
2
: a struggle between opposing forces or for a particular end <the war on poverty>
2war
verb
warredwar·ring
Definition of WAR for Kids
: to engage in a series of battles
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