War of 1812

American  

noun

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

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War of 1812 British  

noun

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

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War of 1812 Cultural  

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.”)

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Example Sentences

Ms. Bishop’s cemetery in California is home to some 900 soldiers’ graves, including veterans of the War of 1812, the Civil War and the Gulf War.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

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

From Science Daily • Oct. 26, 2025

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

From Salon • Aug. 3, 2025

In the War of 1812, which was fought with the British, the Alien Enemies Act was used to regulate British subjects who were not allowed to live within 40 miles of the coast.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2025

They again called for African Americans to join their ranks during the War of 1812.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis