Revolutionary War

American  

noun

1. American Revolution.

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Revolutionary War Cultural  

1. The war for American independence from Britain. The fighting began with the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775, and lasted through the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. General George Washington commanded the American forces, assisted by Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold, Horatio Gates, John Paul Jones, and others. The leaders of the British included Charles Cornwallis, John Burgoyne, Thomas Gage, and William Howe, among others. The American cause was greatly aided by French ships and troops and by the presence of the French nobleman and soldier the Marquis de Lafayette. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 officially ended the war. (See Battle of Bunker Hill and Battle of Saratoga.)

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Etymology

Origin of Revolutionary War

1790–1800;

Example Sentences

That hasn’t stopped Americans from pushing back against the certainty of taxes—death is another matter—since the cry of “no taxation without representation” helped spark the Revolutionary War.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

The final season focuses on Claire and Jamie’s struggles during the Revolutionary War, with the war having followed them home.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

The unforgiving nature of the Revolutionary War was underscored by a subsequent exodus of loyalists.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

Ms Coons, whose ancestors have lived in Gainesboro since around the time of the US Revolutionary War, says she engaged Mr Engel in conversation.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

It would only be a matter of time before he also became the secret spymaster of the Revolutionary War.

From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen