Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A systematic numerical reduction, especially of nuclear weapons, in which more than one weapon or warhead is destroyed for every new one that is built.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[On the model of buildup.]

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Examples

  • It is clear, however, that the U.S. and Russia—having led the nuclear buildup for decades—must continue to lead the build-down.

    Deterrence in the Age of Nuclear Proliferation George P. Shultz 2011

  • That was the Russia we anticipated when we began our nuclear build-down.

    Russia's Nuclear Threat Is More Than Words 2008

  • But the fact that the post-cold-war build-down lies at the root of their recession hasn't spared Californians considerable soul-searching.

    Getting Back To Business 2008

  • The Soviet Union reacted to America's build-down with its own buildup; it expanded its nuclear forces in Europe and stepped up interventions in the Third World, most dramatically with the invasion of Afghanistan.

    The Price Of Cheap Shots 2008

  • Laid off by MGM in the studio build-down in 1957, Hanna and Barbera set up on their own above a storefront and tackled the problem of how to produce animation in large quantities for television.

    Archive 2006-12-01 Kevin Koch 2006

  • Laid off by MGM in the studio build-down in 1957, Hanna and Barbera set up on their own above a storefront and tackled the problem of how to produce animation in large quantities for television.

    Joe Barbera, RIP Steve Hulett 2006

  • You'll recall that the Dayton Accords themselves have provisions in them for a build-down of arms.

    Press Briefing By Mike Mccurry ITY National Archives 1995

  • So the story of START I through the '80s is a story of a lot of issues that most of you covered -- the MX Missile debates, the nuclear freeze, the nuclear build-down -- a lot of executive congressional interaction trying to come up with a flexible position that still achieved reductions.

    Background Briefing On Csce Summit ITY National Archives 1994

  • On television on October 4, he addressed the strategic arms issue, setting forth a “mutual, guaranteed build-down” of nuclear weapons levels.

    Turmoil and Triumph George P. Shultz 1993

  • On television on October 4, he addressed the strategic arms issue, setting forth a “mutual, guaranteed build-down” of nuclear weapons levels.

    Turmoil and Triumph George P. Shultz 1993

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