war

Universal Words noun 1 [U,C] a situation in which two or more countries or groups of people fight against each other over a period of time: the Second World War * the threat of (a) nuclear war * to win / lose a / the war * the war between England and Scotland * England's war with / against Scotland * It was the year Britain declared war on Germany. * Social and political problems led to the outbreak (= the beginning) of war. * Where were you living when war broke out? * The government does not want to go to war (= start a war) unless all other alternatives have failed. * How long have they been at war? * a war widow / hero * (formal) In the Middle Ages England waged war on France. * Her husband was killed during the war. * (formal) the theatre of war (= the area in which fighting takes place) seealsoWARRING, CIVILWAR, COLDWAR, COUNCILOFWAR, PHONEYWAR, POST-WAR, PRISONEROFWAR, WORLDWAR 2 [C,U] a situation in which there is aggressive competition between groups, companies, countries, etc: the class war * a trade war seealsoPRICEWAR 3 [U,sing.] ~ (against / on sb/sth) a fight or an effort over a long period of time to get rid of or stop sth unpleasant: The government has declared war on drug dealers. * We seem to be winning the war against crime. IDIOMS have been in the wars (spoken) to have been injured in a fight or an accident: You look like you've been in the wars-who gave you that black eye? a war of nerves an attempt to defeat your opponents by putting pressure on them so that they lose courage or confidence a war of words a fierce argument or disagreement over a period of time between two or more people or groups: the political war of words over tax moreatFAIRadj.