spanish-american war: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “spanish-american war” mean?
A war fought between the United States and Spain in 1898, primarily over the issue of Cuban independence and U.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A war fought between the United States and Spain in 1898, primarily over the issue of Cuban independence and U.S. intervention in the Caribbean and Pacific.
A historical conflict marking the emergence of the United States as a global imperial power, resulting in the U.S. acquisition of territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, and the end of the Spanish Empire in the Americas.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Terminology is identical. The event is more centrally covered in American history curricula, while in British education it might be mentioned in the context of the decline of the Spanish Empire.
Connotations
In American usage, it often connotes 'manifest destiny' and the rise of American power. In British and other English-speaking contexts, it is a more neutral historical label for the final phase of Spanish colonial decline.
Frequency
Far more frequent in American English due to its foundational role in U.S. history.
Grammar
How to Use “spanish-american war” in a Sentence
[The] Spanish-American War + [VERB: began, ended, lasted][Event/Policy] + [led to/precipitated] + the Spanish-American WarVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spanish-american war” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The period leading up to 1898 saw tensions that would eventually trigger the Spanish-American War.
- Historians debate what truly precipitated the Spanish-American War.
American English
- The sinking of the USS Maine helped spark the Spanish-American War.
- The U.S. Congress formally authorised the Spanish-American War in April 1898.
adverb
British English
- The empire declined Spanish-American War rapidly thereafter.
- The battles were fought, Spanish-American War style, on two fronts.
American English
- The U.S. emerged, Spanish-American War victoriously, as a colonial power.
- The navy acted Spanish-American War decisively in Manila Bay.
adjective
British English
- The Spanish-American War conflict had global repercussions.
- He studied Spanish-American War diplomacy.
American English
- Several Spanish-American War memorials are located in Washington D.C.
- The Spanish-American War timeline is taught in schools.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically in business journalism to describe a short, aggressive takeover bid or market confrontation. (e.g., 'The corporate battle was a Spanish-American War, over in weeks.')
Academic
Used in historical, political science, and international relations discourse to analyze imperialism, media influence (yellow journalism), and the rise of U.S. power.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation unless discussing history. Might be referenced in travel contexts (e.g., visiting historical sites in Cuba or the Philippines).
Technical
Used in military history, diplomatic history, and historiography, with precise dates (April 25 – August 12, 1898), key figures (McKinley, Roosevelt, Dewey), and treaties (Treaty of Paris 1898).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spanish-american war”
- Incorrect hyphenation: 'Spanish American War' (should be hyphenated when used as a compound modifier, but the proper name is standardly hyphenated).
- Confusing it with the Anglo-Spanish War or other conflicts.
- Misspelling as 'Spanish-America War'.
- Using incorrect article ('a Spanish-American War' vs. 'the Spanish-American War').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The war was short, lasting approximately three and a half months, from April 25 to August 12, 1898.
The primary immediate cause was U.S. intervention in the Cuban War of Independence, fueled by a combination of American economic interests, sensationalist 'yellow journalism,' and the mysterious sinking of the USS Maine in Havana harbour.
Through the Treaty of Paris (1898), the United States gained sovereignty over Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippine Islands, and established a protectorate over Cuba.
U.S. Secretary of State John Hay coined the phrase in a letter, referring to the war's short duration, relatively low casualties, and the sweeping, favorable geopolitical results for the United States.
A war fought between the United States and Spain in 1898, primarily over the issue of Cuban independence and U.
Spanish-american war is usually formal, academic, historical in register.
Spanish-american war: in British English it is pronounced /ˌspænɪʃ əˈmɛrɪkən wɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌspænɪʃ əˈmɛrɪkən wɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A splendid little war”
- “Remember the Maine!”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the year '1898' as a door ('98) leading Spain out of the Americas and the U.S. in.
Conceptual Metaphor
WAR IS A GAME (a 'splendid little war'), HISTORY IS A TURNING POINT.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following was NOT a direct result of the Spanish-American War?