world war

American  

noun

1. a war that involves most of the principal nations of the world.

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Etymology

Origin of world war

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Supposedly the ultimate check on power, many became the walking wounded, moving by instinct with a hand on the shoulder of the person ahead of them, like soldiers in the first world war.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

One world war later, Harry Truman confronted the Soviet Union and helped architect the modern international order but watched his approval ratings sink as inflation soured voters on the economy.

From Slate • Mar. 10, 2026

In November 2024, Koguan said he was “no longer all-in-Tesla” and began acquiring Treasury bills, citing his fear of a “1929 type stock market crash” and a potential third world war.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the current conflict in his country could escalate into a world war.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

In any case, the code breakers went home soon enough, and didn’t return till it was obvious that Hitler was about to start a world war.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin