world war

noun

: a war engaged in by all or most of the principal nations of the world
especially, World War : either of two such wars of the first half of the 20th century

Examples of world war in a Sentence

He fought in both World Wars. The nations were prepared for world 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.
Two world wars emphasized the president’s commander-in-chief role, removing constraints on his power. Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025 Stock’s dominance in growing wealth relative to other investments was achieved through world wars, trade wars, severe economic downturns, financial crises, and pandemics. Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025 In 1966, just four distilleries remained in Ireland after the havoc wreaked by two world wars and Prohibition, and three of those consolidated at Midleton: John Jameson & Son, John Powers & Son, and Cork Distilleries Company (Bushmills in Northern Ireland was the fourth). Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2025 More than a mindset Born in a village in eastern Germany in 1886, Tillich lived in a Europe ravaged by two world wars. Mordechai Gordon, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for world war

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of world war was in 1848

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Cite this Entry

“World war.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/world%20war. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

world war

noun
: a war involving all or most of the chief nations of the world
especially, capitalized both Ws : either of two such wars of the 20th century

More from Merriam-Webster on world war

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