FIRST STRIKE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does first strike mean? 

• FIRST STRIKE (noun)
  The noun FIRST STRIKE has 1 sense:

1. the initial use of nuclear weapons to attack a country that also has nuclear weapons; considered feasible only when the attacker can destroy the other country's ability to retaliate

  Familiarity information: FIRST STRIKE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FIRST STRIKE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The initial use of nuclear weapons to attack a country that also has nuclear weapons; considered feasible only when the attacker can destroy the other country's ability to retaliate

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

the Pakistani president promised no first strike against India

Hypernyms ("first strike" is a kind of...):

strike (an attack that is intended to seize or inflict damage on or destroy an objective)