wartime

American

[wawr-tahym] / ˈwɔrˌtaɪm /

noun

a time or period of war.

Strict travel regulations apply only in wartime.

adjective

caused by, characteristic of, or occurring during war.

wartime shortages.

wartime British

/ ˈwɔːˌtaɪm /

noun

1. a period or time of war
2. ( as modifier )
  
  wartime conditions

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of wartime

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at war ¹, time

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.

The report said Israel's supply chain faltered under the pressure of wartime demand.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

Fleeing a botched con and the threat of wartime violence, 29-year-old Ulises Linares escapes 1943 Mexico City for the small town of Puerco Ahogado in Veracruz.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Supporters saw pacifism as a moral improvement on Japan's wartime militarism.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Indeed, there is a long precedent for high-level dismissals during wartime.

From Salon • May 1, 2026

On the quiet, they got in touch with some of their wartime contacts.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

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