cold war

noun

1

: a conflict over ideological differences carried on by methods short of sustained overt military action and usually without breaking off diplomatic relations

specifically, often capitalized C&W : the ideological conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the second half of the 20th century compare hot war

2

: a condition of rivalry, mistrust, and often open hostility short of violence especially between power groups (such as labor and management)

Examples of cold war in a Sentence

the era of the Cold War

the cold war between the party's more liberal and conservative members

Recent Examples on the Web

Kino Lorber’s cold war doc Soundtrack To A Coup d’Etat opened at the Film Forum in NYC to $9.1k. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2024

Second, a worry is that if countries try to keep their AI close to the vest, this will in turn start a new kind of cold war. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

It’s generally agreed by the Housewives consuming public that this current iteration of Real Housewives of New Jersey — with Team Teresa and Team Melissa in a cold war and everyone playing their stories out in the press rather than in dramatic dinner scenes — is not sustainable. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2024

These actions also contribute to the growing tech cold war between major powers, particularly the U.S. and China. —Tim Bates, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cold war

noun

: a struggle over political differences (as of two nations) carried on by methods short of war and usually without breaking off diplomatic relations