WMD

Extracted Attributes

• Full Name

  Weapons of Mass Destruction

• Definition

  A weapon capable of inflicting death and destruction on a massive scale, typically biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear.

• Common Categories

  Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC)

• Historical Context

  Initially referred to massed bomber aircraft; later primarily to nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons.

• First Usage of Term

  1937

Timeline

• The term 'weapons of mass destruction' first came into currency, used to describe massed formations of bomber aircraft. (Source: Britannica)

  1937

• During World War II, the term WMD evolved to encompass the catastrophic impacts of atomic bombs, particularly in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the use of chemical explosives. (Source: EBSCO, Britannica)

  1939-1945

WMD

WMD, or wmd, may refer to:

Web Search Results

• Weapon of mass destruction - Wikipedia

  A weapon of mass destruction (WMD) is a biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, or any other weapon that can kill or significantly harm many people or cause great damage to artificial structures (e.g., buildings), natural structures (e.g., mountains), or the biosphere. The scope and usage of the term has evolved and been disputed, often signifying more politically than technically. Originally coined in reference to aerial bombing with chemical explosives during World War II, it has later [...] Chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons capable of a high order of destruction or causing mass casualties and exclude the means of transporting or propelling the weapon where such means is a separable and divisible part from the weapon. Also called WMD. This may also refer to nuclear ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles).[citation needed] [...] The American Heritage Dictionary defines a weapon of mass destruction as: "a weapon that can cause widespread destruction or kill large numbers of people, especially a nuclear, chemical, or biological weapon." In other words, it does not have to be nuclear, biological or chemical (NBC). For example, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the perpetrators of the Boston Marathon bombing, was charged under United States law 18 U.S.C. 2332A for using a weapon of mass destruction and that was a pressure cooker

• Weapons of Mass Destruction | EBSCO Research Starters

  Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) refer to a category of weaponry capable of inflicting significant destruction on a large scale, primarily encompassing nuclear, chemical, and biological arms. The historical context of WMDs is rooted in the catastrophic impacts witnessed during World War II, particularly in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where atomic bombs caused unprecedented devastation. In the contemporary landscape, concerns persist regarding the existence of vast stockpiles of these weapons, as [...] Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) refer to a category of weaponry capable of inflicting significant destruction on a large scale, primarily encompassing nuclear, chemical, and biological arms. The historical context of WMDs is rooted in the catastrophic impacts witnessed during World War II, particularly in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where atomic bombs caused unprecedented devastation. In the contemporary landscape, concerns persist regarding the existence of vast stockpiles of these weapons, as [...] In the post-World War II world, the term "weapons of mass destruction" refers to a weapon capable of inflicting massive destruction to property and/or the human population. Long after the Cold War came to a close and after many of these arsenals were dismantled, the specter of nuclear weapons and similar weapons of mass destruction (WMD) looms for people around the world, even for those who have never seen the images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Stockpiles remain, while some countries are only

• Weapon of mass destruction (WMD) - Britannica

  weapon of mass destruction (WMD), weapon with the capacity to inflict death and destruction on such a massive scale and so indiscriminately that its very presence in the hands of a hostile power can be considered a grievous threat. Modern weapons of mass destruction are either nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons—frequently referred to collectively as NBC weapons. See nuclear weapon, chemical warfare, biological warfare. [...] The term weapons of mass destruction has been in currency since at least 1937, when it was used to describe massed formations of bomber aircraft. At that time these high-flying battleships of the air seemed to pose an unstoppable threat to civilian centres located far from any war front—as indeed they did during World War II (1939–45), notably in the firebombings of such cities as Hamburg, Germany, and Tokyo, Japan, when tens of thousands of civilians died in a single night. With the dropping [...] (Read Britannica’s interview with Jimmy Carter on WMD’s and world affairs.)

• Weapons of Mass Destruction - Homeland Security

  The United States faces a rising danger from terrorists and rogue states seeking to use weapons of mass destruction. A weapon of mass destruction is a nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, or other device that is intended to harm a large number of people. The Department of Homeland Security works every day to prevent terrorists and other threat actors from using these weapons to harm Americans. ## Strengthening Defenses [...] ### News ### In Focus ### How Do I? ### Get Involved ### About DHS # Weapons of Mass Destruction [...] Through careful coordination with officials at all levels of government, we have increased the prevention and response capabilities of public safety personnel across the United States. We have accomplished this through training, exercises, and other support to operational partners.

• Weapons of Mass Destruction – UNODA

  treaties such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the Biological Weapons Convention. [...] Disarmament graphic — on the left | United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs — on the right flickr icon Disarmament in Review # Weapons of Mass Destruction [...] ## Areas of focus # Related Pages United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs 405 East 42nd Street, Room S-30FW New York, NY, 10017, USA ### UNODA WEBSITES ### UNODA DATABASES ## Follow US instagram icon twitter icon flickr icon ## Contact us

• Instance Of

  Q4167410