I. -nt adjective
Etymology: Latin deterrent-, deterrens, present participle of deterrēre to deter
1. : serving to deter
the deterrent effect of high prices on buying
2. : relating to deterrence
a deterrent view of punishment
• de·ter·rent·ly adverb
II. noun
( -s )
: something that deters
many … people feel that corporal punishment … does act as a deterrent to potential offenders — W.T.McGrath
U.S. superiority in atomic weapons seemed a deterrent to all-out war — New Statesman & Nation