peacetime

noun

peace·​time ˈpēs-ˌtīm How to pronounce peacetime (audio)
Synonyms of peacetimenext
: a time when a nation is not at war

Examples of peacetime in a Sentence

The size of the army was reduced during peacetime.
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.
Using civilian ships would give Beijing access to additional logistics capacity without requiring the military to maintain a much larger fleet of specialized support vessels during peacetime. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026 But traffic through the key trade route remains a trickle of the 130-140 vessels that typically traversed during peacetime. — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026 At first, it was thought that over time, governments would want to allow growth to organically whittle down debt-to-income ratios, which is the ideal way to pay down massive peacetime spending and tax cut binges. — Kenneth S. Rogoff, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026 The White Worm, who styled herself as a peacetime consigliere, is reduced to obsolescence by the promise of all-out war. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peacetime

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1534, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peacetime was circa 1534

Rhymes for peacetime

See All Rhymes for peacetime

Browse Nearby Words

peace symbol
peacetime
peace treaty
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Peacetime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peacetime. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

peacetime

noun
peace·​time ˈpē-ˌstīm How to pronounce peacetime (audio)
: a time when a nation is not at war

More from Merriam-Webster on peacetime

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