passive defense

English

Noun

passive defense (countable and uncountable, plural passive defenses)

1. (military) Forms of defense that offer protection without counterattacking.

   Coordinate term: active defense

   • 1986, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Armed Services, Department of Defense authorization for appropriations for fiscal year 1987, page 317:

     The construction of concrete revetments and hardened facilities, and the provision of chemical warfare defense equipment and clothing, all contribute to our passive defense capabilities.

   • 1985, Ballistic Missile Defense Technologies, page 112:

     In this view, Soviet defensive measures—including civil defense and similar passive defenses—would effectively protect their leadership and its communication system, as well as reduce civilian casualties and protect important war-related industrial capacity.