arms race
The term "arms race" originated during the Cold War, describing the competitive buildup of military capabilities, particularly between the USA and the USSR.
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Definition
C1Military
(technical)A competitive situation where countries continuously enhance their military power to surpass each other.
Example
- The arms race during the Cold War led to significant advancements in nuclear weapons technology.
C1General
(figurative)Any ongoing competition where entities strive to outdo each other in a specific field.
Example
- Tech companies are engaged in an arms race to develop the most advanced smartphones.