state of war

state of war

n 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a period of armed conflict between states, regardless of whether or not war has been officially declared 2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a legal condition begun by a declaration of war and ended formally, during which the rules of international law applicable to warfare may be invoked

state′ of war′

n. a condition or period of armed conflict between states, with or without a formal declaration of war. [1945–50]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

state of war - a legal state created by a declaration of war and ended by official declaration during which the international rules of war apply; "war was declared in November but actual fighting did not begin until the following spring"warwar, warfare - the waging of armed conflict against an enemy; "thousands of people were killed in the war"antagonism, enmity, hostility - a state of deep-seated ill-willproxy war - a war instigated by a major power that does not itself participate