war definition - Dictionary

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	war correspondent

	war crime

	war cry

	war dance

	war game

	war-game

	War in Iraq

	war machine

	war of nerves

	War on Terror

	war paint

	war party

	war risk insurance

	war room

	war story

	war-torn

	war whoop

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war

war [ wawr ]

noun (plural wars)

Definition:

1. armed fighting between groups: a period of hostile relations between countries, states, or factions that leads to fighting between armed forces, especially in land, air, or sea battles

The two countries are at war.

2. period of armed fighting: a period of armed conflict between countries or groups

during the Vietnam War

3. methods of warfare: the techniques or the study of the techniques of armed conflict

4. conflict: a serious struggle, argument, or conflict between people

The candidates are at war.

5. serious effort to end something: an effort to combat or eradicate something harmful

a war against drugs

intransitive verb (past and past participle warred, present participle war·ring, 3rd person present singular wars)

Definition:

1. make war: to engage in an armed conflict with somebody

2. be in struggle: to be involved in a serious struggle, argument, or conflict with somebody or an effort to combat or eradicate something harmful

[12th century. Via Old N French werre, Old French guerre< Germanic, "strife, confusion"]

war of words a public debate or dispute carried out over a period of time in print or the media

Cultural Note


	War and Peace, a novel (1865-1869) by Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. This monumental work is set in Russia during and after the Napoleonic Wars (1805-1814). Though it focuses on five fictional families, the story incorporates historical accounts and philosophical essays to create an extraordinarily comprehensive portrait of Russian society that touches on almost every aspect of human experience, from love and happiness to grief and war.

Word Key: Synonyms


	See fight.