war game

noun

Military.

1. a simulated military operation, carried out to test the validity of a war plan or operational concept: in its simplest form, two opposing teams of officers take part, and when necessary, military units of the required strength are employed.

war game

noun

1. a notional tactical exercise for training military commanders, in which no military units are actually deployed

2. a game in which model soldiers are used to create battles, esp past battles, in order to study tactics

verb

1. (intr) to prepare for battle by considering possible tactics and enemy responses

Word History and Origins

Origin of war game¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

The annual Han Kuang war games, which rehearse a military response to a Chinese attack, have been revamped to replace scripted exercises with more realistic simulations.

Read more on BBC

The exercise was held in conjunction with Taiwan's largest ever war games - the annual Han Kuang exercises - as the island increasingly attempts to ramp up its defences.

Read more on BBC

The MoD says it is the first war games to involve representatives of the defence industry – alongside military commanders and officials.

Read more on BBC

Amid their strengthening ties, Russia and China have held a series of war games in recent years, including naval drills and patrols by long-range bombers over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea.

Read more on Seattle Times

They have held a series of joint war games in recent years, including naval drills and patrols by long-range bombers over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• dress rehearsal 
• tryout