cold war

noun

1

: a conflict over ideological differences carried on by methods short of sustained overt military action and usually without breaking off diplomatic relations

specifically, often capitalized C&W : the ideological conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the second half of the 20th century compare hot war

2

: a condition of rivalry, mistrust, and often open hostility short of violence especially between power groups (such as labor and management)

Examples of cold war in a Sentence

the era of the Cold War

the cold war between the party's more liberal and conservative members

Recent Examples on the Web

To counter them, Harris or Trump could warn Americans that the costs of a hot or cold war with China would be steep, and that such a conflict could arrive soon if bilateral ties keep deteriorating. —Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2024

The Latino doormen and the Albanian doormen have been in a cold war. —Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024

In October 2022, the Commerce Department forged ahead with its new export controls, a moment that was seen in some circles as a dramatic escalation in a second cold war. —Issie Lapowsky, WIRED, 10 Oct. 2024

Grande’s yearslong cold war with the media finally bubbled over after some writers called out her friend Justin Bieber for lip-syncing during Grande’s otherwise-successful headlining Coachella set. —Justin Curto, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cold war

noun

: a struggle over political differences (as of two nations) carried on by methods short of war and usually without breaking off diplomatic relations