Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

arms race

See more synonyms for arms race on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. competition between countries to achieve superiority in quantity and quality of military arms.
Show More

Origin of arms race

First recorded in 1935–40
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for arms race

arms race

noun
  1. the continuing competitive attempt by two or more nations each to have available to it more and more powerful weapons than the other(s)
Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for arms race

n.

1930, in reference to naval build-ups, from arms (see arm (n.2)) + race (n.1). First used in British English.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper