revolutionary war: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
mediumformal, historical, academic
Quick answer
What does “revolutionary war” mean?
A war fought by citizens or colonists of a country to overthrow their existing government and establish a new, independent state or radically different political system.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A war fought by citizens or colonists of a country to overthrow their existing government and establish a new, independent state or radically different political system.
A conflict that embodies the principle of radical, systemic change, often used metaphorically to describe any intense struggle to overturn an established order, whether in politics, technology, or social norms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, 'the Revolutionary War' is the standard term for their war of independence from Britain. In British English, the same conflict is more commonly referred to as 'the American War of Independence' or 'the American Revolutionary War'.
Connotations
In the US, the term carries strong positive connotations of founding, liberty, and national identity. In the UK, it is a more neutral historical descriptor, with possible connotations of a failed colonial policy.
Frequency
The term is vastly more frequent in American English due to its centrality in national history. In British English, the specific term is less common in everyday discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “revolutionary war” in a Sentence
[The/Our] revolutionary war against [regime/state]A revolutionary war for [independence/freedom]The revolutionary war that [changed/birthed] [nation]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used literally; used metaphorically to describe a disruptive market shift (e.g., 'The streaming service started a revolutionary war in the entertainment industry').
Academic
Frequent in history, political science, and sociology to categorize and analyze conflicts driven by revolutionary ideology.
Everyday
Used primarily to refer to the American War of Independence or in historical discussions. Casual metaphorical use is possible.
Technical
Used in military history and political theory to denote a specific type of asymmetric conflict with defined political objectives.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “revolutionary war”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “revolutionary war”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “revolutionary war”
- Capitalisation error: failing to capitalise 'Revolutionary War' when referring to the specific American conflict.
- Using 'revolutionary war' interchangeably with 'civil war' (the latter is typically between factions within the same state).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Only when it forms part of the proper name for a specific historical conflict, most notably the American Revolutionary War. When used as a common noun phrase (e.g., 'a revolutionary war'), it is not capitalized.
A revolutionary war aims to overthrow the existing government and create a new political system, often resulting in a new state. A civil war is fought between organised groups within the same state or country, typically for control of that state's government, without the necessary goal of creating a wholly new system or state.
Yes, political scientists and journalists may use the term to describe contemporary conflicts where an insurgent group seeks to completely overthrow a regime and institute radical change, such as in Syria or Libya in the early 2010s.
The difference reflects perspective and national narrative. 'Revolutionary War' highlights the transformative, foundational nature of the conflict for Americans. 'American War of Independence' is a more descriptive, geopolitical label preferred in British historiography, focusing on the outcome (independence) rather than the process (revolution).
A war fought by citizens or colonists of a country to overthrow their existing government and establish a new, independent state or radically different political system.
Revolutionary war is usually formal, historical, academic in register.
Revolutionary war: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛvəˈluːʃ(ə)n(ə)ri ˈwɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛvəˈluːʃəˌnɛri ˈwɔr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[someone's] revolutionary war (metaphorical: a personal struggle for radical change)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of REVOLUTION (a complete circle/turn) + WAR. A war that turns the political system full circle, creating a new beginning.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL CHANGE IS WAR; FOUNDING A NATION IS A BIRTH (the war gives birth to the nation).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common British English term for the American Revolutionary War?