/ dɪˈterənt; NAmE -ˈtɜːr-/ noun
~ (to sb/sth) a thing that makes sb less likely to do sth (= that deters them) :
Hopefully his punishment will act as a deterrent to others.
the country's nuclear deterrents (= nuclear weapons that are intended to stop an enemy from attacking)
► de·ter·rence / dɪˈterəns; NAmE -ˈtɜːr-/ noun [ U ] ( formal )
► de·ter·rent adjective :
a deterrent effect
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WORD ORIGIN
early 19th cent.: from Latin deterrent- deterring, from the verb deterrere , from de- away from + terrere frighten.