containment
Stopping hostile spread
Containment is the act of keeping something within limits—preventing it from spreading or escaping.
The word applies to physical substances containment of the oil spill, diseases containment measures slowed transmission, and abstract threats.
In Cold War policy, containment was the U.S. strategy of preventing the spread of Soviet communism without direct military confrontation.
Nuclear containment structures house reactors to prevent radiation leaks.
Receptacle for contents
- receptacleContainer for items
- chamberEnclosed room or cavity
- compartmentEnclosed subdivision of space
- tankLarge storage vessel
Sudden eruption of trouble
- quarantineIsolation preventing disease transmission
- isolationComplete separation from others
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
- pandemicGlobal disease outbreak
transmission · pathogen · vector · contact tracing · CDC · WHO · Ebola · H1N1
Vertical enclosing structure
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- damWater-holding barrier
- leveeRiver flood barrier
- dikeWall against flooding
berm · seal · gasket · membrane · lining · reinforcement · bulkhead · cofferdam
Prevention via threatened consequences
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
- blockadeSealing off a place
- treatyBinding pact between nations
sovereignty · multilateralism · neutrality · occupation · embargo · quarantine · buffer zone · iron curtain
Authority to direct
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- limitationBound on extent
- restrictionLimit on action
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
curbing · checking · holding back · inhibition · regulation · mitigation · management · prevention
vessel
Receptacle for contents
- receptacleContainer for items
- chamberEnclosed room or cavity
- compartmentEnclosed subdivision of space
tank · vat · drum · canister · capsule · pod · cell · cage · pen · crate
outbreak
Sudden eruption of trouble
- quarantineIsolation preventing disease transmission
- isolationComplete separation from others
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
pandemic · transmission · pathogen · vector · contact tracing · CDC · WHO · Ebola · H1N1 · epidemiology
wall
Vertical enclosing structure
dike · berm · seal · gasket · membrane · lining · reinforcement · bulkhead · cofferdam · retaining wall
deterrence
Prevention via threatened consequences
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
- blockadeSealing off a place
treaty · sovereignty · multilateralism · neutrality · occupation · embargo · quarantine · buffer zone · iron curtain · cold war
control
Authority to direct
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- limitationBound on extent
- restrictionLimit on action
constraint · curbing · checking · holding back · inhibition · regulation · mitigation · management · prevention · reduction
spill
Accidental liquid release
remediation · decontamination · biohazard · toxic · nuclear · radiation · chemical · disposal · barrier · berm
- restrictionsban, bans, limits, limit, restrictions
- strategystrategy, grand strategy, tactics, tactic, tactical
- campfire safetywater bucket, fire ring, extinguish, douse, smother
- Defense Strategiesfortification, retreat, counterattack, blockade, shields
- preventive measuresvaccination, backup plan, insurance, screening, firewall
- safety measureshandwashing, backup plan, fire prevention, fire drills, escape route
containmentappeasement
Satisfying demands to prevent conflict
engagement · rollback · accommodation · détente · regime change
containmentexpansion
Increase in scope
spread · proliferation · dissemination · diffusion · growth
- containment breachEscape from sealed area
- containment zoneDesignated restricted perimeter
- containment policyStrategy limiting rival expansion
- containment measuresSteps to limit spread
- wildfire containmentControlling an unplanned blaze
- containment strategyPlan to prevent spread