often attributive
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)
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
warred; warring

intransitive verb

1
: to be in active or vigorous conflict
2
: to engage in warfare

war

3 of 4

adverb or adjective

chiefly Scotland
: worse
warred; warring

Examples of war in a Sentence

Noun They fought a war over the disputed territory. A war broke out when the colonists demanded their independence. We need to resolve our conflicts without resorting to war.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The governing Liberals had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Trump declared a trade war and challenged Canada’s sovereignty. Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025 Not only did the Secretary of Defense share details of a war plan on a group chat, but the general public and people serving in the military are now wondering what other group chats may exist, and what other information may be out there, shared accidentally. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
While the talks have been ongoing between U.S. and Russian and, separately, U.S. and Ukrainian officials, the two warring countries continue to launch attacks at each other. Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2025 In the novel, the worst of The Troubles are over, but peace between warring factions is not at hand. Claude Peck, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for war

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Adverb or adjective

Middle English werre, from Old Norse verri, adjective, verr, adverb; akin to Old English wiersa worse — more at worse

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb Or Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of war was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“War.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

1
a
: a state or period of armed hostile conflict between states, nations, or groups
b
: the science of warfare
2
a
: a state of hostility, antagonism, or conflict
b
: a struggle between opposing forces or for a particular goal
a war on disease

war

2 of 2 verb
warred; warring
1
: to engage in warfare
warring nations
2
: to be in conflict

More from Merriam-Webster on war

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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