(n) a policy of creating strategic alliances in order to check the expansion of a hostile power or ideology or to force it to negotiate peacefully, Example:containment of communist expansion was a central principle of United States' foreign policy from 1947 to the 1975
(n) a strategy of defense in cases of bioterrorism; vaccination only of people exposed and others who are in contact with them, Example:ring containment is a proven method of halting a smallpox epidemic
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
n. 1. That which is contained; the extent; the substance. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
The containment of a rich man's estate. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. the act of containing. [ PJC ]
3. (Diplomacy) the act or policy of restricting the influence or territorial growth of a hostile nation. The policy of containment is employed when the defeat of a hostile nation or overthrow of its government is considered impractical or too costly. [ PJC ]
4. the act of restricting some deleterious substance within a confined space, especially when such material is released unintentionally or by accident; as, containment of nuclear waste; containment of an oil spill. Also used attributively, as a containment boom. [ PJC ]
5. a structure surrounding a nuclear power plant designed to prevent release of radioactive materials into the environment in the event of an accident. [ PJC ]