nonproliferation

[ non-proh-lif-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the action or practice of curbing or controlling an excessive, rapid spread:

   nonproliferation of nuclear weapons.

2. failure or refusal to proliferate, as in budding or cell division.

adjective

1. pertaining to diplomatic agreements limiting the spread of nuclear weapons.

nonproliferation

/ ˌnɒnprəˌlɪfərˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. 1. limitation of the production or spread of something, esp nuclear or chemical weapons
   2. ( as modifier )

      a nonproliferation treaty

2. failure or refusal to proliferate

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonproliferation¹

First recorded in 1960–65; non- + proliferation

Example Sentences

South Korea briefly operated a nuclear weapons program in the 1970s before shutting it down and signing the international Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in return for “extended nuclear deterrence” from the U.S. — the promise that Washington would use its own nuclear arsenal to protect South Korea from such an attack.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump has similarly dismissed the U.S.-South Korea alliance as an unnecessary drag, suggesting during his first presidential campaign that he might encourage Seoul to build its own nuclear arsenal — a departure from Washington’s long-standing stance of nonproliferation.

From Los Angeles Times

More significantly, nuclear armament would first require South Korea to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty — a move that Town said would probably result in international sanctions.

From Los Angeles Times

“So much has changed since the Ukraine war, with the nonproliferation regime once managed between China, Russia and the U.S. having been considerably weakened,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

As Sneider notes, this would be a “sharp departure” from Russia’s age-old policy on nuclear nonproliferation.

From Slate

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