Star Wars
noun
a U.S. weapons research program begun in 1984 to explore technologies, including ground- and space-based lasers, for destroying attacking missiles and warheads.
Also called
Strategic Defense Initiative.
British Dictionary definitions for star wars
Star Wars
noun (functioning as singular)
Formal name: Strategic Defense Initiative
(in the US) a proposed system of artificial satellites armed with lasers to destroy enemy missiles in space
Abbreviation: SDI
(modifier; sometimes not capitals)
of, relating to, or denoting this system
Star Wars defence; star wars policy
Word Origin for Star Wars
C20: popularly named after the science fiction film
Star Wars (1977) by George Lucas
Cultural definitions for star wars (1 of 2)
Star Wars
A series of popular science fiction motion pictures created by George Lucas. The first trilogy debuted in 1977 with Star Wars: A New Hope. The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi followed in the 1980s. Prequels, Episode I: The Phantom Menace and Episode 2: Attack of the Clones, were recently released. The films are noted for combining classic themes of good versus evil with cutting-edge special effects.
Cultural definitions for star wars (2 of 2)
Star Wars
A popular name, taken from the title of a film, for the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) of President Ronald Reagan. “Star Wars” involves the development by the United States of a defense in outer space against intercontinental ballistic missiles.