American English
/wɔɹ/
One syllable.
Organized fighting between countries or groups, using weapons and soldiers.
“War” is commonly pronounced /wɔɹ/. In many U.S. accents where “cot” and “caught” have the same vowel, you may also hear /wɑɹ/.
Organized fighting between countries or groups, using weapons and soldiers.
The two countries have been at war for years.
The war destroyed many homes.
For one particular conflict, use a war or the war. But say at war and go to war, without a or the.
civil war · world war · war zone · declare war
be at war with + country or group
declare war on + country or group
A serious, organized struggle between people, groups, or countries, not necessarily using weapons.
The government declared war on corruption.
The two companies are fighting a trade war.
war on drugs · trade war · culture war · war against terrorism
a war on + problem
wage war against + problem or group
in a state of fighting
The two countries are at war.
to begin fighting a war
The country went to war in 1941.
a public argument in which people attack each other with words
The debate became a war of words.