nuclear power

American  

[noo-klee-er pou-er, nyoo-] / ˈnu kli ər ˈpaʊ ər, ˈnyu- /

noun

1. power derived from nuclear energy.

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nuclear power British  

noun

1. Also called: atomic power.  power, esp electrical or motive, produced by a nuclear reactor

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nuclear power Cultural  

1. The electrical power generated by a nuclear reactor.

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Pronunciation

See nuclear ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of nuclear power

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

She rejected Washington's attempts to deny or challenge the North's status as a nuclear power, saying it "carries no legal force".

From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026

He added that there’s going to be a massive supply problem as early as 2027 due to the AI build-out and other countries coming back into nuclear power.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026

For most of American history, Congress created new boards or commissions with a specific mission, such as regulating railroad rates in the 1880s or nuclear power in the 1970s.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

Last weekend, the United Arab Emirates said a drone strike hit an electricity generator at its nuclear power station, a sign of how any further fighting could escalate.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

It can only be found in environments where nuclear fission is occurring—in nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Related Words

• atomic energy