(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)
deterrence noun [U] (formal):
His view is that prison sentences must be long enough to satisfy the requirements both of retribution and deterrence.
deterrent adjective:
a deterrent effect
