world war

American  

noun

1. a war that involves most of the principal nations of the world.

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Etymology

Origin of world war

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

America has been through plenty of dark times in its history, from a Civil War to depressions and two bloody world wars that leveled much of the world.

From Salon

This shift helped bolster the case for U.S. intervention in Europe in both world wars.

From The Wall Street Journal

What we have, instead, is a Parisian pageant, energetically rearranging how some things looked in a few precious years between the catastrophes of the two world wars.

From The Wall Street Journal

They gained notoriety during the 20th century world wars and were the centerpiece of a battle formation—similar to the role the aircraft carrier is today, Clark said Monday.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is a profound psychological shift for a continent that has rebuilt itself after two world wars by trumpeting a message of harmony and joint economic prosperity.

From The Wall Street Journal