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

Back then, cold war dynamics were at play, and newly independent countries were deciding which governing system to follow—a decision that might (theoretically) be influenced by a democratic nation’s ability to explore space. —Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024

Indeed, there seems to be a bipartisan consensus in Washington that China must now be treated as a major adversary, with a growing contingent of analysts arguing for a cold war framing. —Wang Jisi, Foreign Affairs, 1 Aug. 2024

The sheriff’s office and the tribal police are effectively engaged in a cold war. —Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024

People in this group believe that the U.S.-Chinese rivalry is a zero-sum game and that Washington and Beijing are engaged in a cold war that requires even more aggressive tactics from the United States. —Wang Jisi, Foreign Affairs, 1 Aug. 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