What does wargame mean?
A wargame is a simulation of military operations, a hypothetical war, or a game based on warfare. In professional military and strategic contexts, it allows commanders and analysts to test plans, compare alternatives, anticipate an opponent's likely decisions, and train personnel without experiencing the consequences of real conflict. Tabletop exercises, map-based games, computer simulations, and live-action drills can all serve this purpose, with each form varying in detail and realism. Outside defense institutions, wargames are also played as hobbies, using maps, miniature figures, rules, or computer software to recreate historical campaigns and fictional conflicts. The term carries a distinctly serious and strategic association, even when the activity is recreational, because it suggests systematic analysis and decision-making. Its usefulness lies in making uncertainty visible: by exploring plausible courses of action and possible setbacks beforehand, participants can identify weaknesses before circumstances become less forgiving. A wargame is therefore both a military tool and a form of organized strategic thought.
A simulation of military operations or a hypothetical conflict, used to test strategy, evaluate plans, or train decision-makers. The term can also denote a tabletop or electronic game based on warfare.
"The command used a wargame to determine how the defense would respond to an unexpected attack."
Common in military, defense, security, and strategic-planning contexts; also used for recreational war games.
To conduct, simulate, or engage in a wargame.
"The officers wargamed several possible outcomes before choosing a course of action."
A relatively specialized verb, especially associated with military planning and analytical discussion.
The standard plural is wargames, referring to individual simulations, exercises, or games.
"The workshop featured three wargames focused on different phases of the conflict."
In a wargame, being wrong is the point: the sooner a plan fails, the safer it is to learn that in advance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of wargame
The compound is English, formed from the words war and game. War entered Middle English from Old French guerre, ultimately from Germanic roots, while game descends from Old English gam. The military sense became established in the early 20th century as armed forces began using simulated engagements to test plans and train decision-makers.
Related word forms
How wargame is actually used
The noun is standard in military, defense, and strategic-planning contexts. The verb is less common and often has a technical tone. In popular usage, wargaming can also refer to the hobby of playing historically based war games.
Easily confused with wargame
A wargame is an individual exercise or simulation, whereas wargaming can denote the broader activity or field of conducting such exercises.