wartime

noun

war·​time ˈwȯr-ˌtīm How to pronounce wartime (audio)
often attributive
: a period during which a war is in progress
rationing during wartime

Examples of wartime in a Sentence

Many goods were rationed during wartime.
Recent Examples on the Web Tossing TikTok in wartime or if strong evidence emerges that the platform is being used by the Chinese Communist Party for tracking users is a different story altogether. Gabriel Levin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 Some of its soldiers engage in crimes and abuses that may be commonplace in wartime, but whose public exposure understandably erodes international support. Andrew Exum, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2024 The group must then try to free themselves from the clutches of the Galactic Empire to seek peace and freedom during wartime. Rudie Obias, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 The blocks around the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood have been transformed into a security zone worthy of Baghdad in wartime in preparation for Oscars 2024. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 More than two years into their wartime alliance, the bond between the United States and Ukraine is showing signs of wear and tear, giving way to mutual frustration and a feeling that the relationship might be stuck in a bit of a rut. Thomas Gibbons-Neff, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Egyptian officials, Hassanein alleges, profit from the wartime fees Gazans are paying to cross the border. Daniel Estrin, NPR, 2 Mar. 2024 Such concerns have long pervaded Black communities in the United States during wartime. Naima Green-Riley, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2024 The prosecution charged Pétain with treason, a crime punishable by death, for having collaborated with the German enemy during wartime. Robert O. Paxton, Harper's Magazine, 17 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wartime.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wartime was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near wartime

Cite this Entry

“Wartime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wartime. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

wartime

noun
war·​time ˈwȯ(ə)r-ˌtīm How to pronounce wartime (audio)
: a period when a war is going on

More from Merriam-Webster on wartime

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!