war

war
war
W1S3 [wo: US wo:r] n
[Date: 1100-1200; : Old North French; Origin: werre, from Old French guerre]
1.) [U and C]
when there is fighting between two or more countries or between opposing groups within a country, involving large numbers of soldiers and weapons
≠ ↑peace
America's defeat in the Vietnam War
He served as a pilot during the war.
war against/with/between
the war with Spain
They had no chance of winning the war .
Britain fought two wars in Europe in the last century.
My grandfather fought in the Second World War .
In 1920 Poland and Russia were still at war .
Quite a few women went to war , and quite a few were killed in action.
Congress has the power to declare war .
War broke out in September 1939.
His career was interrupted by the outbreak of war .
the American Civil War
He led the nation out of a depression and guided it through a world war .
Both countries wanted to avoid a nuclear war .
He had spent the war years in Moscow.
a wounded war hero
2.) [U and C]
a struggle over a long period of time to control something harmful
war on/against
the State's war on drugs
the war against racism
3.) [U and C]
a situation in which a person or group is fighting for power, influence, or control
No one wants to start a trade war here.
a ratings war between the major TV networks
→↑price war
4.) be in the wars
BrE spoken used, often humorously, to say that someone has lots of injuries or health problems
You've really been in the wars lately, haven't you?
5.) this means war
spoken used humorously to say that you are ready to fight or argue about something
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COLLOCATES for sense 1
win/lose a war
fight a war/wage (a) war (=used about countries or groups)
fight in a war (=used about people)
be at war (with somebody)
go to war (with somebody)
declare war (on somebody)
war breaks out also the outbreak of war
civil war (=a war between opposing groups within a country)
world war
nuclear war
the war years
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Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Synonyms:

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  • War — War, n. [OE. & AS. werre; akin to OHG. werra scandal, quarrel, sedition, werran to confound, mix, D. warren, G. wirren, verwirren, to embroil, confound, disturb, and perhaps to E. worse; cf. OF. werre war, F. querre, of Teutonic origin. Cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • War — War, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Warred}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Warring}.] 1. To make war; to invade or attack a state or nation with force of arms; to carry on hostilities; to be in a state by violence. [1913 Webster] Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • War — War, v. t. 1. To make war upon; to fight. [R.] [1913 Webster] To war the Scot, and borders to defend. Daniel. [1913 Webster] 2. To carry on, as a contest; to wage. [R.] [1913 Webster] That thou . . . mightest war a good warfare. Tim. i. 18. [1913 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • War — War, a. Ware; aware. [Obs.] Chaucer. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • War on I-4 — is the nickname for the rivalry between the Tampa Bay Storm and the Orlando Predators in the Arena Football League. The teams have met at least twice and up to four times a season since 1991, and both have consistently been at the top of the… …   Wikipedia

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  • war — I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: 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 Date: 12th century 1. a. (1) a state of usually …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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  • War rape — describes rape committed by soldiers, other combatants or civilians during armed conflict or war. Rape in the course of war dates back to antiquity, ancient enough to have been mentioned in the Bible. During war and armed conflict rape is… …   Wikipedia

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