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war footing

American  

noun

  1. the condition or status of a military force or other organization when operating under a state of war or as if a state of war existed.

Etymology

Origin of war footing

First recorded in 1890–95

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.

But there are risks to staying on a constant war footing, like failing to turn its tactical gains into a strategic change in Israel’s position.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have been on a war footing since Operation Epic Fury launched Feb. 28.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

But while the war dominated minds, Putin is also expected to take questions on the economy, which has been on a war footing for almost four years and has prioritised defence over all other sectors.

From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025

Increasingly it feels as if the Russian economy is being placed on a war footing.

From BBC • May 13, 2024

The lab had been operating virtually on a war footing for two years.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.