DEFCON

noun

DEF·​CON ˈdef-ˌkän 

: any one of five levels of U.S. military defense readiness that are ranked from 5 to 1 according to the perceived threat to national security, with 1 indicating the highest level of perceived threat

It was determined that the secretary of Defense had the authority to declare DEFCON 3 on his authority.

—Stephen A. Cambone

—sometimes used figuratively

Don't even mention the privatization of Social Security that will take Congress to DEFCON 1.

—Sam Allis

Examples of DEFCON in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For the majority of the series, Marissa is in DEFCON 5 trauma. — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026

For example, a player who regularly collects DEFCON points could finish 20-50 points ahead of another with similar clean-sheet numbers. — Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Margo’s identity reveal triggers a DEFCON 5 situation for Mark’s mother. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 6 May 2026

But in a post-AI environment, this ecosystem should be categorized as DEFCON 2 from the cyberthreat perspective. — Etay Maor, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

defense condition

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for DEFCON

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon