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

This cold war—should the world indeed succumb to it—will be different from the first one. —Michael Doyle, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024

The long-standing cold war between Prince Harry and older brother William has not improved, even amid the cancer battles of both King Charles and Kate Middleton. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 June 2024

As the Biden team frets about admitting that the United States is now in a cold war, Beijing is leading it into the foothills of a hot one. —Rush Doshi, Foreign Affairs, 30 May 2024

But make no mistake, this cold war of words has been simmering in the background for over a decade. —Hazlitt, 30 May 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