weapon of mass destruction

Any weapon, especially one that is nuclear, chemical, or biological in nature, that can be used to end lives and cause damage on a very large scale. Popularized in recent times by the administration of US President George W. Bush in relation to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Sometimes used for hyperbolic, sarcastic, or humorous effect. The report concluded that the country had been manufacturing weapons of mass destruction in order to cause as much death and destruction as possible. Ugh, crack a window, dude—that fart was a weapon of mass destruction!

weapons of mass destruction

Also, WMD. Weapons that can greatly harm or kill large numbers of people and/or severely damage man-made structures or the biosphere. The term was first used by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1937 with reference to the aerial bombardment of Guernica, Spain. Less than a decade later, the term was applied to nonconventional weapons, specifically nuclear weapons. During the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, the term was used by President John F. Kennedy, referring to nuclear missiles. Fearing Iraq’s use of nuclear weapons, the alleged existence of such weapons became the main justification for the 2003 invasion of that country. By then, the term was so well known and so often abbreviated that it was on its way to clichédom.

See also: destruction, mass, of, weapon

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References in periodicals archive

Preparation for managing a weapons of mass destruction incident first requires an appreciation of the magnitude of the potential consequences.

Critical incident management in the ultimate crisis

He said: "I believe that we will find the truth, and the truth is he was developing a programme for weapons of mass destruction.

We were right, Blair tells US

As part of ceasefire, Iraq agrees to destroy weapons of mass destruction and to allow the UN to verify that.

War in Iraq: America's second major military action since 9/11 could reshape U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East. U.S. officials hope the risks of going to war pay off. (America At War)

She highlighted the most important responsibilities entrusted to the National Committee, including follow-up to the implementation of all conventions, treaties and protocols as well as Security Council resolutions on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and participation in relevant international meetings and conferences.

Undersecretary meets French officials

Introductory essays review the history and the political and diplomatic issues of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons of mass destruction; the essays also explain the basic science of these weapons in simple terms.

Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Essential Reference Guide

In an opening speech, Deputy Chairman of the Qatari National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons Bregadier General Hassan Al-Nesf reviewed the suffering of humanity, since the beginning of the 19th century, from wars in which nuclear, biological and chemical arms as well as weapons of mass destruction have been used.

Qatar hosts conf. on threats of non-traditional arms to Mideast region

BAGHDAD / National Iraqi News Agency / nina / The Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations, Mohammed Ali al-Hakim confirmed the importance of concerted international community to cope with the threats resulting from the weapons of mass destruction." He said in a speech, during the Security Council opening session on the prevention of the arrival of weapons of mass destruction, according to a Foreign Ministry statement, that there is no country in the world could face the threats resulting from the arrival of weapons of mass destruction to the terrorist groups or ensure the survival of its territory away from them," stressing "the importance of solidarity and joint efforts of all parties of the international community in order to meet those threats.

Iraq confirms the importance that the international community to cooperate to meet the threats of arrival of weapons of mass destruction to the terrorists

Mainly we did not take away the weapons of mass destruction - weapons used most recently in Paris, killing 129 people.

Win, disarm... and stay to [...]; LETTERS

WASHINGTON -- A joint declaration from Catholic bishops and Shiite religious leaders issued June 14 has decried the use of, as well as the threat to use, weapons of mass destruction.

Good news

New York ,Oct 13 (ONA) The Sultanate reiterated its support for initiatives aimed at making the Middle East a zone free from nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, aware of the hazards of these weapons to the security and stability of States, the region and the world.

The Sultanate's Address at UN General Assembly

According to the National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction, "Defending the American homeland is the most basic responsibility of our government.

The role of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in combating weapons of mass destruction

Saddam Hussein did have weapons of mass destruction. We just didn't read the small print.

Opinion: A Rather Small Weapon of Mass Destruction - by Gwynne Dyer

And when secretary of state Colin Powell told the UN Security Council that "Saddam and his regime are concealing their efforts to produce more weapons of mass destruction....We know that Iraqi government officials...have hidden prohibited items in their homes," we thought he meant nukes and poison gas and nasty biological agents.

A small weapon of mass destruction

The charge of conspiracy to use a weapons of mass destruction carries a potential maximum life sentence.

Two Pakistan-born brothers arrested in Florida on terrorism charges

Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction 2: Build a Secret Agent Arsenal is a recommendation for any hobbyist's collection and provides the basics of how to build some 30 different spy weapons and surveillance tools, from a pen blowgun to a mint tin catapult.

Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction 2