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air war

American  

noun

  1. military operations by combatants involving the use of aircraft.

  2. those phases or aspects of a war in which aircraft play a part.


Etymology

Origin of air war

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

But his ascendance in the governor’s race has come at a price; the TV air war has taken a bizarre turn.

From Salon May 6, 2026

In the weeks leading up to this spring’s U.S.-Israeli air war, Trump’s envoys negotiated with Iranian officials.

From Slate Apr. 21, 2026

This, however, could also present the U.S. with a dilemma on whether to prolong the air war if the regime were to crack down again.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 19, 2026

Mr Lynch says not only are civilians suffering, neither side is achieving military success in the air war.

From BBC Dec. 8, 2025

Most consisted of two squadrons of ten aircraft apiece; Marina Raskova’s three female regiments were not going to change the outcome of an air war on this scale.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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