: occurring or existing after a war
especially : occurring or existing after World War II

Examples of postwar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The postwar model of a large welfare and regulatory state, run by a class of civil servants charged with modernizing the economy, tempering market forces and defining the common good, has run its course. — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 The original book was set in 1900, but Gerwig shifts the setting to the 1950s, postwar London. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 Sweeney had his own vision for what a museum could do in the postwar moment, which aligned with his ambitions for the growing collection. — Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026 At that time of ‘50s postwar glamour, the Roman jeweler was rapidly growing in popularity, with the Via Condotti boutique welcoming the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton and Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for postwar

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of postwar was in 1853

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Cite this Entry

“Postwar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postwar. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

: of, relating to, or being a period after a war
postwar Europe
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