war crime

noun

1. Usually war crimes. crimes committed against an enemy, prisoners of war, or subjects in wartime that violate international agreements or, as in the case of genocide, are offenses against humanity.

war crime

noun

1. a crime committed in wartime in violation of the accepted rules and customs of war, such as genocide, ill-treatment of prisoners of war, etc

Derived Forms

• war criminal, noun

Other Words From

• war criminal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of war crime¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Israel has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity by deliberately causing the mass displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, a report by Human Rights Watch says.

From BBC

Both parties have been accused of committing war crimes, with the ongoing fighting leaving thousands dead and millions displaced.

From BBC

He is reported by US media to have successfully lobbied Trump during his first presidency to pardon servicemen accused of war crimes.

From BBC

“This is a war crime that the world has seen coming,” he declared.

From Salon

Russia denies all allegations of war crimes in Ukraine, despite well-documented evidence to the contrary.

From BBC