war crime

noun

: a crime (such as genocide or maltreatment of prisoners) committed during or in connection with war

—usually used in plural

war criminal noun

Examples of war crime in a Sentence

He was found guilty of torture and other war crimes.

Recent Examples on the Web

The committee pointed to international bodies that have investigated Israel for war crimes against Palestinians since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court. —Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025

The decision, which was shared with European partners, marks another shift by the Trump administration away from President Biden's vow to hold Vladimir Putin accountable for war crimes. —Katya Soldak, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

The International Criminal Court is investigating claims of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and then-President Joe Biden's administration in January said the RSF and its proxies were committing genocide. —arkansasonline.com, 15 Mar. 2025

Duterte, who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, is set to be the first Asian former head of state to go on trial at the ICC, a court of last resort created more than two decades ago to prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, aggression and genocide. —Reuters, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for war crime

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime

Legal Definition

war crime

noun

: an act committed usually during an international war for which individual criminal liability will be imposed by a domestic or international tribunal

specifically : a violation of the laws or customs of war as embodied or recognized by international treaty, court decisions, or established practice

—usually used in pl.

Note: Following World War II, the Charter of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg first codified war crimes including crimes against humanity. Also encompassed in the legal concept of war crimes is the crime of planning or waging a war of aggression or a war in violation of international treaties.