prisoner of war

noun phrase

: a person captured in war
especially : a member of the armed forces of a nation who is taken by the enemy during combat

Examples of prisoner of war 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.
March 9, 2025 An influx of videos showing Ukrainian prisoners of war being taken has proliferated over the past several days. Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Mar. 2025 Throughout the war, demonstrators have gathered on a weekly basis to protest the plight of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Kim Barker, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025 Recent months have also seen growing evidence of the horrific treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war (PoWs) in Russia or Russia’s occupied territories. Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 The meeting focused on battlefield conditions, security guarantees, and the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prisoner of war

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prisoner of war was in 1608

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prisoner of war.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prisoner%20of%20war. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

prisoner of war

: a member of the armed forces of a nation who has been captured by the enemy

Legal Definition

prisoner of war

: a person captured in war
especially : a member of the armed forces of a nation who is taken by the enemy during combat

Note: Under the Third Geneva Convention, a person is a prisoner of war if he or she falls in one of the following categories: 1) a member of the armed forces of a party to the conflict or of a militia or volunteer corps that is part of the armed forces; 2) a member of another militia or volunteer corps who is a lawful combatant; 3) a member of regular armed forces who profess allegiance to a government or authority not recognized by his or her captor; 4) a person who accompanies the armed forces but is not a member of it provided they have proper authority to accompany it; 5) members of the merchant marine and crews of civil aircraft who do not fall under more favorable designations under international law; and 6) inhabitants of territory facing approach of the enemy who spontaneously resist invasion and carry arms openly and respect the laws of war. Prisoners of war are entitled to certain rights (as to humane treatment) under the Convention. Two further categories of people entitled to treatment as prisoners of war are 1) persons belonging or having belonged to the armed forces of an occupied country who were liberated but have been confined especially when they have tried to rejoin the armed forces or have not complied with a summons attempting to confine them; and 2) persons falling under any of the categories of those entitled to treatment as prisoners of war who are received by neutral countries that are required to confine them by international law, with certain exceptions specified in the Convention.

More from Merriam-Webster on prisoner of war

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!