nonproliferation

[non-proh-lif-uh-rey-shuh n]

noun

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

pertaining to diplomatic agreements limiting the spread of nuclear weapons.

Origin of nonproliferation

First recorded in 1960–65; non- + proliferation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for non-proliferation

nonproliferation

Examples from the Web for non-proliferation

Contemporary Examples of non-proliferation

A nuclear-armed Iran would be a disaster for international stability and the non-proliferation regime.
Israel Must Take a More Diplomatic Approach Toward Iran
David Patrikarakos
December 17, 2013
It risks triggering a nuclear-arms race in the region, and the unraveling of the non-proliferation treaty.
Full Text of Obama's Speech to the UN -- Update: Video Added
Justin Green
September 25, 2012
And withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty or kicking out U.N. nuclear inspectors would implicitly do the same thing.
Obama Already Has A Red Line
Ali Gharib
September 16, 2012
That may have made sense in the 1950s and 1960s, when the outlines of the non-proliferation regime were first established.
What Iran's Dictator Got Right
Reza Aslan
May 3, 2010
This would reduce the threat that Iran could use the uranium for a nuclear weapon and give time for non-proliferation talks.
The Deal to Disarm Iran
Michael Adler
October 17, 2009

British Dictionary definitions for non-proliferation

nonproliferation

noun

1. limitation of the production or spread of something, esp nuclear or chemical weapons
2. (as modifier)a nonproliferation treaty
failure or refusal to proliferate

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

Word Origin and History for non-proliferation

also nonproliferation, 1965, from non- + proliferation; originally in reference to nuclear weapons.