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

“We didn’t come out hot, and we let them get the first strike in and we were battling for the rest of that game,” Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner said.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Nathaniel said the settler knocked the woman unconscious with the first strike of his stick, before hitting her again as she lay on the ground.

From BBC

It was another outstanding effort from the captain after opting to take first strike.

From Barron's

Nine of those have landed since the first strike in early September.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said that maritime traffic in the Southern Caribbean had reduced significantly "since the first strike".

From BBC