English Explanatory Dictionary

balance of terror

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The tenuous peace that existed during the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Word forms

balance of terror

Etymology

Probably coined by Lester Pearson in June 1955 at the 10th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter: “The balance of terror has succeeded the balance of power.”

Related words

mutual assured destruction nuclear deterrence if you want peace, prepare for war
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