balance of terror

noun

1. the distribution of nuclear arms among nations such that no nation will initiate an attack for fear of retaliation.

   maintaining the balance of terror between the United States and the Soviet Union.

balance of terror

1. The balance of power between nations that are equipped with nuclear weapons, stemming from their fear of mutual annihilation in a nuclear war.

Word History and Origins

Origin of balance of terror¹

First recorded in 1955–60