What does domino theory mean?
Definitions for domino theory
domi·no the·o·ry
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word domino theory.
Princeton's WordNet
domino theorynoun
the political theory that if one nation comes under communist control then neighboring nations will also come under communist control
GCIDE
Domino theory
A political theory current in the 1960's, according to which the conversion of one country in South Asia to communism will start a sequential process causing all Asian countries to convert to Communism. The apparent assumption was that an Asian country politically aligned with the West was as politically unstable as a domino standing on edge. It was used by some as a justification for American involvement in the Vietnam war, 1964-1972.
Wiktionary
domino theorynoun
The theory that, if South Vietnam fell to Communism, it would be followed by Cambodia, Laos, and additional South Asian countries.
Etymology: An allusion to a row of dominoes in which the fall of one leads to a cascade of falling pieces.
ChatGPT
domino theory
The domino theory is a political concept that proposes if one country in a region comes under the influence of communism, then the surrounding countries will follow in a domino effect. The theory was used by various U.S. administrations during the Cold War to justify the need for American intervention around the world.
Wikidata
Domino theory
The domino theory existed from the 1950s to the 1980s. It was promoted at times by the United States government, and speculated that if one state in a region came under the influence of communism, then the surrounding countries would follow in a domino effect. The domino theory was used by successive United States administrations during the Cold War to justify the need for American intervention around the world. Referring to communism in Indochina, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower put the theory into words during an April 7, 1954 news conference:
Matched Categories
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of domino theory in Chaldean Numerology is: 7
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of domino theory in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8
Translation
Find a translation for the domino theory definition in other languages:
Select another language:
- - Select -
- 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
- 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
- Español (Spanish)
- Esperanto (Esperanto)
- 日本語 (Japanese)
- Português (Portuguese)
- Deutsch (German)
- العربية (Arabic)
- Français (French)
- Русский (Russian)
- ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
- 한국어 (Korean)
- עברית (Hebrew)
- Gaeilge (Irish)
- Українська (Ukrainian)
- اردو (Urdu)
- Magyar (Hungarian)
- मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
- Indonesia (Indonesian)
- Italiano (Italian)
- தமிழ் (Tamil)
- Türkçe (Turkish)
- తెలుగు (Telugu)
- ภาษาไทย (Thai)
- Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
- Čeština (Czech)
- Polski (Polish)
- Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
- Românește (Romanian)
- Nederlands (Dutch)
- Ελληνικά (Greek)
- Latinum (Latin)
- Svenska (Swedish)
- Dansk (Danish)
- Suomi (Finnish)
- فارسی (Persian)
- ייִדיש (Yiddish)
- հայերեն (Armenian)
- Norsk (Norwegian)
- English (English)
Word of the Day
Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?
Citation
Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"domino theory." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 15 Mar. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/domino+theory>.
Discuss these domino theory definitions with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In