go to war Definition

war
noun

1. An open state of armed conflict, especially between nations. Compare cold war.

Thesaurus: battle, combat, hostilities, fighting, action.
2. A particular armed conflict.
3. A conflict between states, or between parties within a state. See also civil war.
4. Fighting as a science.
5. Open hostility between people.
6. Any long-continued struggle or campaign.
7. Fierce rivalry or competition in business.

verb, intr warred, warring

1. To fight wars.

Thesaurus: fight, battle, wage war, make war.
2. To conflict one with another.

Idiom: at war

Participating in armed conflict.

Idiom: go to war

To begin an armed conflict.

Idiom: have been in the wars

colloq
To have, or show signs of having, sustained injuries.

Etymology: 12c: from German werra quarrel.