warfare
n.-
1 fighting a war (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe activity of fighting a war or a long period of armed conflict.
the act of engaging in or the state of being at war; the general conduct of armed conflict.
ExampleThe country has suffered through years of brutal warfare and economic collapse.
ExampleThe civilian population bore the brunt of the warfare, as the conflict moved from remote borders into densely populated urban centres.
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2 a specific method of fighting (n.) C1 Advanced Technicala particular way of fighting, often named after the tools or tactics used.
military operations characterised by a specific method, environment, or technology.
ExampleThe soldiers were trained in jungle warfare before being sent to the tropical region.
ExampleModern military doctrine has shifted its focus toward cyber warfare, prioritising the protection of digital infrastructure over traditional territorial defence.
UsageOften used as the second part of a compound noun, such as 'chemical warfare' or 'trench warfare'.
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3 intense competition (n.) C1 Advanced Literarya situation where people or companies compete very strongly and try to hurt each other.
intense conflict or competition between opposing groups that resembles military struggle in its aggression.
ExampleThe two tech giants are engaged in a legal warfare over patent rights.
ExampleThe boardroom witnessed a form of psychological warfare as the rival executives vied for the support of the remaining shareholders.
From war + fare; perhaps a shortening of Middle English werre-faringe, werfarynge (“waging war, warfare”, literally “going to war”).