war zone

American  

noun

1. (during wartime) a combat area in which the rights of neutrals are suspended, as such an area on the high seas, where ships flying a neutral flag are subject to attack.

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Etymology

Origin of war zone

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

More than 20 countries have said they are ready to help “ensure safe passage through the strait,” but many of them will hesitate to enter an active war zone.

From The Wall Street Journal

One email seen by AFP came from a seafarer asking to confirm whether his salary would go from $16 a day to $32 because he was in a designated war zone.

From Barron's

Japan has so far demurred, citing legal obstacles to venturing into a war zone.

From The Wall Street Journal

To wit: The continued reliance on oil leaves American consumers vulnerable to spikes in the price of gasoline—as might be expected when, for example, the Strait of Hormuz becomes a war zone.

From The Wall Street Journal

All of the farmers I spoke to acknowledged their problems were tiny next to the suffering of people in the war zone itself.

From BBC