Noun
passive defense (countable and uncountable, plural passive defenses)
- (military) Forms of defense that offer protection without counterattacking.
- Coordinate term: active defense
1986, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Armed Services, Department of Defense authorization for appropriations for fiscal year 1987, page 317:The construction of concrete revetments and hardened facilities, and the provision of chemical warfare defense equipment and clothing, all contribute to our passive defense capabilities.
1985, Ballistic Missile Defense Technologies, page 112:In this view, Soviet defensive measures—including civil defense and similar passive defenses—would effectively protect their leadership and its communication system, as well as reduce civilian casualties and protect important war-related industrial capacity.