de·ter·rent /dɪˈterənt $ -ˈtɜːr-/ ●○○ noun [countableC] 1 PERSUADEsomething that makes someone less likely to do something, by making them realize it will be difficult or have bad results 制止物,威慑物,威慑力量 The small fines for this type of crime do not act as much of a deterrent. 对于这种罪行,小额罚金起不到多大的威慑作用。
deterrent to/for/against Window locks are an effective deterrent against burglars. 窗锁可以有效地阻止窃贼。
the deterrent effect of prison sentences 监禁的威慑作用
—deterrence noun [uncountableU]