**noun**, *often attributive \ ˈwȯr* 1. **a (1):** a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations **(2):** a period of such armed conflict **(3):** [state of war](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/state%20of%20war), **b:** the art or science of warfare, **c (1)** *obsolete:* weapons and equipment for war **(2)** *archaic:* soldiers armed and equipped for war 2. **a:** a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism, **b:** a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end; a class *war*, a *war* against disease, **c:** [variance](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/variance), [odds](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/odds) *[Source:](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war) Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary