warfare

noun

war·​fare ˈwȯr-ˌfer How to pronounce warfare (audio)
1
: military operations between enemies : hostilities, war
also : an activity undertaken by a political unit (such as a nation) to weaken or destroy another
economic warfare
2
: struggle between competing entities : conflict

see also biological warfare, chemical warfare, cyber warfare, germ warfare, trench warfare

Examples of warfare in a Sentence

that troubled household seems to be almost constantly in a state of warfare companies engaged in constant warfare for dominance in the market for smart phones and tablets
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
But also tossed into the mix is electronic warfare, and its ability to confuse, throw off and shut down navigation systems on weapons flying across the battlefield each day. David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024 Automated drone systems are in high demand among soldiers searching for ways to beat the rapidly increasing use of electronic warfare on the battlefield. Max Hunder, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Nov. 2024 Making the most of an ideal location with a rickety rope bridge included for hair-raising escapes, Shiraishi and his effects and make-up teams throw everything into the film’s thrilling depictions of warfare. Richard Kuipers, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024 The secretary of the Department of Homeland Security should require that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a body under DHS purview, review and declassify material about information warfare as it is being conducted by U.S. adversaries. David Shedd, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for warfare 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from werre, warre war + fare journey, passage — more at fare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of warfare was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near warfare

Cite this Entry

“Warfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warfare. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

warfare

noun
war·​fare ˈwȯr-ˌfa(ə)r How to pronounce warfare (audio)
-ˌfe(ə)r
1
a
: military fighting between enemies : war
b
: activity undertaken by one country or group to weaken or destroy another
economic warfare
2
: a struggle between competitors : conflict
industrial warfare

More from Merriam-Webster on warfare

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