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• first strike
  first strike

  noun

  the initial use of nuclear weapons in a conflict, in which the attacker tries to destroy the adversary's strategic nuclear forces.
• first-strike
  first-strike

  adjective

  (of a nuclear missile) intended for use in an opening attack calculated to destroy the enemy's nuclear weapons

first strike

American  

noun

1. the initial use of nuclear weapons in a conflict, in which the attacker tries to destroy the adversary's strategic nuclear forces.

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first-strike British  

adjective

1. (of a nuclear missile) intended for use in an opening attack calculated to destroy the enemy's nuclear weapons

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Etymology

Origin of first strike

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

first strike first-strike

The first strike on April 8 hit a higher floor in El Bizri’s building, which was showing its age.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026

Buck Turgidson, one of the film’s most memorable characters, while agitating the president in the war room for a first strike against the Soviet Union.

From Salon ● Mar. 10, 2026

Schools have been closed since the strike began Monday, leaving families to scramble for child care and meals as teachers rallied for their first strike since 1979.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2026

"I did not personally see survivors," Hegseth said of the first strike.

From BBC ● Dec. 2, 2025

She dodged my first strike and rolled into the brass section, knocking over a row of trombones with a mighty crash.

From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan

Possessing a natural instinct for first-strike tennis, she won her first 20 matches of 2025 and lifted four successive titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2025

His game, Jackson assured, will be on display soon, the cornerback suggesting that a first-strike approach will lead to increased production.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2022

His 50.9% first-strike percentage entering was 155th among 157 pitchers who faced 150 or more plate appearances this season.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 25, 2022

What the U.S. has is a nuclear force which, while certainly a formidable retaliatory arsenal, is actually designed to function even better as a devastating first-strike force.

From Salon ● Feb. 16, 2022

Fearing a first-strike nuclear attack by the United States, the Soviet Union resolved not to let its guard down.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau