nonproliferation

/ˈˌnɑnprəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/

Nonproliferation is when something is kept from growing or spreading. Trying to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world is known as nuclear nonproliferation.

You're almost certain to find the noun nonproliferation in discussions about weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear bombs and missiles. A nonproliferation treaty is an agreement between powerful countries to limit the number of nuclear weapons they have, with the eventual goal of disarmament, or completely eliminating them. The word has been around since 1965, from non-, "not," and proliferation, "increase or enlargement," from the French prolifère, "producing offspring."

Definitions of nonproliferation

1. noun

   the prevention of something increasing or spreading (especially the prevention of an increase in the number of countries possessing nuclear weapons)
   “they protested that the nonproliferation treaty was just a plot to maintain the hegemony of those who already had nuclear weapons”

   “nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation are closely related goals”

   synonyms: non-proliferation

   antonyms:

   proliferation

   a rapid increase in number (especially a rapid increase in the number of deadly weapons)

   type of:

   bar, prevention

   the act of preventing