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

We've begun the steepest defense build-down since the end of the Korean war, with likely effects through the whole economy.

From The Daily Beast

If we are to build up to the level of our best opportunities, we must build down to solid foundation on the sense of obligation.

From Project Gutenberg

If the desire is to reinforce, to build down, the extrinsic muscles of the throat must relax, and the throat must expand.

From Project Gutenberg