state of war

noun

1. a condition marked by armed conflict between or among states, existing whether or not war has been declared formally by any of the belligerents.
2. a legal condition initiated and concluded by formal declaration, and not necessarily involving armed conflict.
3. the duration of such a condition.

state of war

noun

1. a period of armed conflict between states, regardless of whether or not war has been officially declared
2. 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of state of war¹

First recorded in 1945–50