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

“Tell me, Novis—why would your mother willingly go into what was about to be a war zone?”

From Literature

Today, drones used on the battlefield in Ukraine and Gaza are faster, more maneuverable and more robust, enabling their operators to zip through a war zone as if in a videogame.

From The Wall Street Journal

It states that "journalists in war zones must be treated as civilians and protected as such, provided they play no part in the hostilities".

From Barron's

One minister said the east coast resembled "a war zone".

From BBC

The shipping firms are also used to operating in war zones and other hot spots.

From The Wall Street Journal