cold war

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ˈcold ˈwar, n. [countable]

1. American History intense political or military rivalry between nations just short of armed fighting.
2. American History such rivalry after World War II between the Soviet Union and the U.S., and their allies:
   [Cold War* often: the + ~] With the breakup of Communism the two leaders declared that the Cold War was over.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

cold′ war′, 

1. American History intense economic, political, military, and ideological rivalry between nations, short of military conflict;
   sustained hostile political policies and an atmosphere of strain between opposed countries.
2. American History a continuing state of resentful antagonism between two parties short of open hostility or violence.
3. American History (caps.) rivalry after World War II between the Soviet Union and its satellites and the democratic countries of the Western world, under the leadership of the United States.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cold war noun

1. a state of political hostility and military tension between two countries or power blocs, involving propaganda, subversion, threats, economic sanctions, and other measures short of open warfare, esp that between the American and Soviet blocs after World War II (the Cold War)