WMD

American  

abbreviation

1. weapon/weapons of mass destruction: a weapon or weapons that can cause great destruction, loss of life, or injury.

   nuclear WMDs.

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WMD British  

abbreviation

1. weapon(s) of mass destruction

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Etymology

Origin of WMD

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Congress could temporarily extend the measures dealing with drones and WMD as part of a bill the House approved Tuesday to avert a government shutdown.

From Washington Times • Nov. 15, 2023

Even before he arrived, work was well under way  to prevent WMD attacks, or deal with them if they took place.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2023

“We learned critical lessons in the wake of our flawed assessment of an active WMD program in Iraq in 2002,” Haines said.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 22, 2023

Three reporters and an editor in Knight-Ridder’s Washington bureau were alone among the major news organizations in questioning the administration’s narrative about WMD.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2023

—Deny terrorists access to the materials, expertise, and other enabling capabilities required to develop WMD.

From National Strategy for Combating Terrorism September 2006 by National Security Council (U.S.)