second-strike

[ sek-uhnd-strahyk ]

adjective

1. noting, pertaining to, or using nuclear forces capable of withstanding attack and retaliating after an adversary has launched a first strike.

second-strike

adjective

1. (of a nuclear weapon) intended to be used in a counterattack in response to a nuclear attack
2. (of a strategy) based on the concept of surviving an initial nuclear attack with enough nuclear weaponry to retaliate

Other Words From

• second strike noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of second-strike¹

First recorded in 1960–65; second ¹( def ) + strike (in the sense “military attack”