de·ter·rence 
/dɪˈtɚrəns/ noun
/dɪˈtɚrəns/ noun [noncount] formal 1 : the act of making someone decide not to do something : the act of preventing a particular act or behavior from happening
▪ the deterrence of crime 2 politics : the policy of developing a lot of military power so that other countries will not attack your country
▪ The author argues that deterrence is no longer the best way to prevent war. ▪ nuclear deterrence
▪ the deterrence of crime
▪ The author argues that deterrence is no longer the best way to prevent war. ▪ nuclear deterrence
