missile gap

American  

noun

1. a lag in one country's missile production relative to the production of another country.

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Etymology

Origin of missile gap

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

missile gap

That has left a missile gap, which the U.S. is trying to close.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

Those weapons, along with anti-ship missiles fielded in Okinawa by the new littoral regiments, could help close a growing missile gap with China, say experts.

From Reuters ● Jan. 11, 2023

Born in 1952, I was too young for the "missile gap," which animated John F. Kennedy's 1960 run for president.

From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2020

In many ways, U.S. concerns over China and technology parallel concerns over the Soviet Union in the post-Sputnik missile gap period just before President John F. Kennedy’s election in 1960.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 4, 2019

A new term began to make the rounds in policy circles, the press, and private conversation: the missile gap.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly