Why was the period between 1946 and 1990 known as the Cold War?

The period between 1946 and 1990 is known as the Cold War due to the intense geopolitical tension between the United States and its allies, representing capitalism and democracy, and the Soviet Union and its allies, representing communism. This rivalry was marked by ideological conflicts, military build-up, and proxy wars, but it avoided direct large-scale conflict between the superpowers. The term "cold" signifies that while there was significant hostility and competition, it did not escalate into direct military confrontation between the two main adversaries. The Cold War ultimately ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.