nonproliferation
Americannoun
-
the action or practice of curbing or controlling an excessive, rapid spread.
nonproliferation of nuclear weapons.
-
failure or refusal to proliferate, as in budding or cell division.
adjective
noun
-
-
limitation of the production or spread of something, esp nuclear or chemical weapons
-
( as modifier )
a nonproliferation treaty
-
-
failure or refusal to proliferate
Etymology
Origin of nonproliferation
First recorded in 1960–65; non- + proliferation
Explanation
Nonproliferation is when something is kept from growing or spreading. Trying to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world is known as nuclear nonproliferation. You're almost certain to find the noun nonproliferation in discussions about weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear bombs and missiles. A nonproliferation treaty is an agreement between powerful countries to limit the number of nuclear weapons they have, with the eventual goal of disarmament, or completely eliminating them. The word has been around since 1965, from non-, "not," and proliferation, "increase or enlargement," from the French prolifère, "producing offspring."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“What this does is it breaks the old system that was based on the non-proliferation treaty,” said Perkovich, who has worked on nuclear issues for 44 years.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026
She added that China hoped the US would "take concrete actions to safeguard the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime and maintain global strategic balance and stability".
From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025
William Alberque, a former head of NATO's nuclear non-proliferation centre, pointed to Trump's lack of clarity.
From Barron's • Oct. 30, 2025
The global nuclear watchdog has found Iran has failed to meet its nuclear non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years.
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2025
The international non-proliferation effort requires the support of suppliers as well as importers of nuclear technology and materials.
From State of the Union Address by Carter, Jimmy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
