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

Today, the United States finds itself in at least the sixth year of a second cold war, this time with China, a confrontation that has become even more dangerous under the Biden administration. —Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025

In the brewing cold war between the U.S. and China, semiconductors are among the most vital battlegrounds. —Billy Perrigo, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024

Possible consequences include a second international cold war threatening disastrous American decline or, conceivably, even a third world war. —Jay Ambrose, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2024

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

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