build-down

[ bild-doun ]

noun

1. a process for reducing armaments, especially the number of nuclear weapons held by the U.S. and the U.S.S.R., by eliminating several older weapons for each new one that is deployed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of build-down¹

First recorded in 1980–85; by analogy with buildup

Idioms and Phrases

Reduce, diminish, as in Owing to increased vigilance, traffic in narcotics is finally building down . This term, the antonym of build up , came into use about 1980 with regard to reducing the stockpile of nuclear weapons and soon was applied more widely.

Example Sentences

“To steer away from this very grave danger, we need a very different vision of the future. Such a vision should of course posit a rapid and orderly build-down from war-style mobilization by the U.S. government and its central bank,” Mr. Eberstadt said in a speech accepting the think tank’s Irving Kristol Award.

From Washington Times

If there is such a thing as the opposite to a buildup, the vice presidential debate last night had received a build-down.

From Salon

The combination of China’s military buildup and America’s precipitous build-down that Mrs. Clinton backed has increased the apprehension of traditional democratic allies in East Asia as well as India.

From Wall Street Journal

He backed Obama’s idealistic vision of “global zero” nuclear weapons and oversaw the U.S. unilateral nuclear build-down.

From US News

“The defense build-down is here to stay,” she said.

From Time