definitions

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.

RELATED CONTENT

First AmendmentRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
Democrats vs. Republicans: Which Came First?Since Democrats and Republicans appear to have an inexhaustible appetite for political friction, here is some insight on which label came first.
READ MORE

Nearby words

first run, first school, first secretary, first sergeant, first state, first strike, first string, first thing, first things first, first water, first world

Origin of first strike

First recorded in 1960–65
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for first-strike

British Dictionary definitions for first-strike

first-strike

adjective

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