civil war

/ˈsɪvɪl ˌwɔər/

/ˈsɪvəl wɔ/

Other forms: civil wars

A civil war is a conflict between groups within a single country, like the American Civil War between the north and south.

Most wars are fought between different countries. However, in a civil war, a country has become divided, and factions within the country are battling each other. One of the most famous examples is the American Civil War (1861-1865), when the southern states fought to leave the U.S., and the northern states fought to keep the country together. A civil war is more painful than other wars in many ways, because the country is literally tearing itself apart.

Definitions of civil war

1. noun

   a war between factions in the same country
   examples:

   United States Civil War

   civil war in the United States between the North and the South; 1861-1865

   English Civil War

   civil war in England between the Parliamentarians and the Royalists under Charles I; 1644-1648

   Spanish Civil War

   civil war in Spain in which Franco succeeded in overthrowing the republican government; during the war Spain became a battleground for fascists and socialists from all countries; 1936-1939

   type of:

   war, warfare

   the waging of armed conflict against an enemy