German word

Weltkrieg

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvɛltˌkʁiːk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounworld war

Example

Der Weltkrieg zerstörte viele Städte.

The world war destroyed many cities.

Illustration for Weltkrieg (world war)

More examples

Viele Menschen sprechen über die Folgen des Weltkriegs.

Many people are talking about the consequences of the world war.

Core concept

A conflict that reaches across continents and leaves lasting effects in many countries and regions.

Common phrases

  • über den Weltkrieg sprechen

    talk about the world war

  • die Folgen des Weltkriegs

    the consequences of the world war

Similar words

Krieg: Armed fighting between countries or organized groups.
Bürgerkrieg: Armed fighting between groups within the same country.
Konflikt: A serious dispute or struggle caused by opposing interests or views.
Invasion: A military entry into another country or region to attack or occupy it.

Definition in German

Bezeichnung für einen Krieg mit internationaler Beteiligung, der in seinen Folgen mehrere Staaten und Regionen berührt.

Word origin

Weltkrieg is a transparent compound of Welt, meaning 'world', and Krieg, meaning 'war'; Welt comes from Old High German weralt, while Krieg is recorded in Middle High German as kriec.

Usage tips

  • The masculine noun has the forms der Weltkrieg, des Weltkriegs, and die Weltkriege.

Opposites

Word lists with this word