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

Everybody’s favourite Premier League companion game evolves year on year, with the introduction of defensive contribution (DEFCON) this season as well as two sets of super-powered chips. — Holly Shand, New York Times, 26 May 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

Exasperated as time was running out, my mother went all in and pushed the DEFCON 1 button. — Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Dec. 2025

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