preemptive strike
noun
Origin of preemptive strike
First recorded in 1955–60
Words nearby preemptive strike
preemployment,
preempt,
preemption,
preemptive,
preemptive right,
preemptive strike,
preen,
preen gland,
preengage,
preengineered,
preequalization
Cultural definitions for preemptive strike
preemptive strike
A first-strike attack with nuclear weapons carried out to destroy an enemy's capacity to respond. A preemptive strike is based on the assumption that the enemy is planning an imminent attack.