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