PoliticsAugust 20, 2026
warfighters
WOR-fahy-terz
Definition
A term used by the military to refer to soldiers, sailors, and other personnel actively engaged in or trained for combat operations.
Etymology
This is a compound word formed from 'war' (from Old English 'werre') and 'fighter' (derived from the verb 'fight', from Old English 'feohtan'). It gained prominence in modern American military jargon as a collective noun for frontline personnel.
In the news
The Pentagon uses this term to redefine the newspaper's audience, shifting its editorial focus exclusively toward the specific concerns and interests of active military personnel.
Longtime publisher of Stars and Stripes to retire, citing differences with Pentagon leadership
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