A civil war is a war which is fought between different groups of people who live in the same country.
...the Spanish Civil War.
civil war in British English
noun
war between parties, factions, or inhabitants of different regions within the same nation
Civil War in British English
noun
1. English history
the conflict between Charles I and the Parliamentarians resulting from disputes over their respective prerogatives. Parliament gained decisive victories at Marston Moor in 1644 and Naseby in 1645, and Charles was executed in 1649
2. US history
the war fought from 1861 to 1865 between the North and the South, sparked off by Lincoln's election as president but with deep-rooted political and economic causes, exacerbated by the slavery issue. The advantages of the North in terms of population, finance, and communications brought about the South's eventual surrender at Appomattox
civil war in American English
war between geographical sections or political factions of the same nation
Idioms:
the Civil War
Examples of 'civil war' in a sentence
civil war
Equally it was essential to explain to the jury the reality of military life during the height of a brutal civil war.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
With the party on the brink of civil war, that assessment is perhaps too optimistic.
The Sun (2016)
Then they join up to fight in the Indian wars and the civil war.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Most importantly, in its homeland, reggae united the people in a period of near civil war.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In failing health and out of office, he slipped away from Syria as the civil war erupted.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is a Catalan civil war going on in front of our eyes and City are caught in the middle.
The Sun (2016)
And off the field the club has been paralysed by a civil war in the stands of their new London Stadium home.
The Sun (2016)
Just how relevant the civil war is can be surprising.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Perhaps too many had died in their civil war for superior foreign armies to present so terrible a challenge.
Charles Glass The Tribes Triumphant (2006)
The second civil war was raging.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It is right not to become involved in a civil war where both sides have shown their brutality and disregard for life.
The Sun (2013)
It is the road to miscalculation and futile intervention in other people 's civil wars.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Having stepped to the brink of civil war, the nation had drawn hastily back.
Garraty, John Arthur The American Nation: A History of the United States to 1877 (1995)
We can't have a party on the brink of civil war running the country.
The Sun (2010)
After Yuan s death the country collapsed into civil war between rival warlords.
Thackrah, J. R. Twentieth Century History - Basic Facts (1985)
As in other civil wars, people who had been warily tolerant neighbours for years suddenly turned on the minority in their midst.
Diane Purkiss The English Civil War: A People's History (2006)
And second, because we are sure that the moment these foreign elements are withdrawn, the end of the civil war will be very near.
Paul Preston The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution and Revenge
The former paratrooper is not fazed by the country 's civil war, although he does turn down the chance to go deer hunting in a minefield.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Word lists with
civil war
Historical events
In other languages
civil war
British English: civil war /ˈsɪvl wɔː/ NOUN
A civil war is a war which is fought between different groups of people living in the same country.