war·fare /ˈwɔːfeə $ ˈwɔːrfer/ ●○○ noun [uncountableU] 1 PMWARthe activity of fighting in a war – used especially when talking about particular methods of fighting 战争〔尤指作战方式〕 the realities of modern warfare 现代战争的真实面貌
chemical/nuclear/germ etc warfare 化学战/核战/细菌战等
trench/jungle/mountain etc warfare 堑壕战/丛林战/山地战等
guerrilla warfare (=fighting by small groups of fighters in mountains, forests etc) 游击战
► see thesaurus at war 2 FIGHT FOR OR AGAINST somethinga continuous and often violent struggle or argument between different groups 不同集团之间的〕斗争,冲突class/gang/internecine etc warfare the problems of drugs and gang warfare 毒品和黑帮冲突问题
→ psychological warfare at psychological(3)n COLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + warfare chemical warfare (=using chemicals, for example poisonous gases, as weapons)the consequences of America’s chemical warfare in Vietnam
biological/germ warfare (=using dangerous bacteria or illnesses as a weapon)These bacteria might be used in biological warfare.
nuclear warfarethe appalling consequences of nuclear warfare.
conventional warfare (=not nuclear)They had a stronger conventional warfare capability.
ground warfare (=fighting on the ground, rather than in the air or on the sea)Ground warfare took a heavy toll in casualties.
trench warfare (=fighting from long holes dug into the ground)There he experienced the full horrors of trench warfare.
jungle warfareThe Japanese had been trained in jungle warfare.
guerrilla warfare (=involving a small unofficial military group)Sporadic fighting turned into full-scale guerrilla warfare.
naval warfareThe age of modern naval warfare was at hand.
verbswage warfareRebels waged guerrilla warfare against the occupying army.
engage in warfareThe country did not want to engage in warfare.