[cold war] n (1945) 1: a conflict over ideological differences carried on by methods short of sustained overt military action and usu. without breaking off diplomatic relations; specif, often cap C&W: the ideological conflict between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R--compare hot war
2: a condition of rivalry, mistrust, and often open hostility short of violence esp. between power groups (as labor and management)