War of 1812

noun

1. the war between the United States and Great Britain from 1812 to 1815.

War of 1812

noun

1. a war between Great Britain and the US, fought chiefly along the Canadian border (1812–14)

War of 1812

1. A war between Britain and the United States, fought between 1812 and 1815. The War of 1812 has also been called the second American war for independence. It began over alleged British violations of American shipping rights, such as the impressment of seamen — the forcing of American merchant sailors to serve on British ships. American soldiers attacked Canada unsuccessfully in the war, and the British retaliated by burning the White House and other buildings in Washington, D.C. American warships frequently prevailed over British vessels (see “We have met the enemy, and they are ours”). The greatest victory for the Americans came in the Battle of New Orleans, in which Andrew Jackson was the commanding general — a battle fought, ironically, two weeks after the peace treaty ending the war had been signed, but before the armies could be informed. (See also “The Star-Spangled Banner.”)

Example Sentences

Although the War of 1812 with Britain ended in a draw, most Americans thought it had been a great victory.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mott, a nearly 200-year-old case that stemmed from the War of 1812.

Read more on Salon

Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812, known as the "Patriotic War of 1812," ended in one of history's most disastrous retreats.

Read more on Science Daily

The entire structure had to be rebuilt after the British torched it in the War of 1812.

Read more on Salon

But after the attacks of 9/11 — the first on the American mainland since the War of 1812 — the “homeland” seemed more vulnerable.

Read more on Salon