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

Public attention was stirred by the story of how Stephen Pleaston saved it from the flames when the British attacked Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Four days later, Carney addressed the nation displaying a figurine of Gen. Isaac Brock, who repelled U.S. forces invading what is today Canada in the War of 1812.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

When Secretary of War James Monroe proposed a system of national conscription during the War of 1812, the backlash was immediate and fierce.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 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

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