Definition

Proper noun The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), in which the Thirteen American Colonies fought for and won their political independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, establishing the United States of America.

Usage

This term is used as a specific historical reference to the conflict. It functions as a singular, proper noun phrase. * The War of American Independence fundamentally altered the global balance of power in the 18th century. * Many key battles of the War of American Independence were fought in the northern colonies.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term is often used in academic and historical discourse to describe the military aspect of the broader American Revolution, which also included political and social developments.
  • The diplomatic efforts in Europe were as crucial to the outcome as the battles of the War of American Independence.

Variants and Related Words

• American Revolutionary War: The more common synonym in modern American English.
• American Revolution: A broader term encompassing the entire period of political and social upheaval (c. 1765-1783), of which the war was a part.
• Revolutionary War: A common shortened form, usually capitalized.

Synonyms

• American Revolutionary War
• (The) American Revolution (in its military context)
• (The) Revolutionary War

Related Phrases

• The shot heard 'round the world: A phrase referring to the opening battles at Lexington and Concord, marking the start of the war.
  • "The shot heard 'round the world" signaled the beginning of the War of American Independence.
• The Patriots: The colonists who rebelled against British rule.
• The Loyalists: American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the war.

Noun

1. the revolution of the American Colonies against Great Britain; 1775-1783