second world war: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighFormal, Academic, Everyday
Quick answer
What does “second world war” mean?
The global military conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving many of the world's nations and marked by significant events such as the Holocaust and the use of atomic bombs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The global military conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving many of the world's nations and marked by significant events such as the Holocaust and the use of atomic bombs.
Refers to the historical period, its aftermath, or metaphorically to any large-scale, devastating conflict or struggle.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'the Second World War' is more common, while American English frequently uses 'World War II' without 'the' in some contexts.
Connotations
Similar in both variants, associated with historical significance, tragedy, and global impact.
Frequency
'World War II' is slightly more frequent in American English, but both terms are widely understood and used.
Grammar
How to Use “second world war” in a Sentence
[determiner] + Second World War + [prepositional phrase]Second World War + [noun modifier]in/during/after + the Second World WarVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “second world war” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Second World War memorial in London commemorates the fallen.
- She studies Second World War artefacts in the museum.
American English
- World War II veterans are honored on Memorial Day.
- The library has a World War II exhibit this month.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in historical analysis or metaphors for large-scale competition.
Academic
Common in history, political science, and sociology for discussing causes, events, and impacts.
Everyday
Used in general conversation about history, family stories, or media references.
Technical
Precise usage in military studies, historiography, and archival research.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “second world war”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “second world war”
- Incorrect capitalization (e.g., 'second world war')
- Omitting 'the' (e.g., 'during Second World War')
- Confusing with 'World War I' in dates or context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It started in 1939 and ended in 1945.
Yes, as a proper noun, it is always capitalized in English.
They refer to the same event; 'World War II' is more common in American English, while 'Second World War' is often used in British English.
It led to major political, social, and technological changes worldwide, including the establishment of the United Nations and the start of the Cold War.
The global military conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving many of the world's nations and marked by significant events such as the Holocaust and the use of atomic bombs.
Second world war is usually formal, academic, everyday in register.
Second world war: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɛkənd ˈwɜːld ˈwɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɛkənd ˈwɝld ˈwɔr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “post-World War II”
- “since the Second World War”
- “Second World War buff”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Second World War: Think '1939-1945', the sequel to the first, with more countries and atomic ends.
Conceptual Metaphor
War as a catastrophic turning point that reshapes societies and global order.
Practice
Quiz
What is a common synonym for 'Second World War'?