atomic bomb

American  

[uh-tom-ik bom] / əˈtɒm ɪk ˌbɒm /

Also atom bomb

noun

1. a bomb whose potency is derived from nuclear fission of atoms of fissionable material with the consequent conversion of part of their mass into energy.

2. a bomb whose explosive force comes from a chain reaction based on nuclear fission in U-235 or plutonium.

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atomic bomb British  

noun

1. Also called: A-bomb.   fission bomb.  a type of bomb in which the energy is provided by nuclear fission. Uranium-235 and plutonium-239 are the isotopes most commonly used in atomic bombs Compare fusion bomb

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atomic bomb Scientific  

1. A very destructive bomb that derives its explosive power from the fission of atomic nuclei. Atomic bombs usually have plutonium 239 or uranium 235 as their fissionable material.

2. Also called atom bomb

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atomic bomb ¹ Cultural  

1. A bomb that is powered by nuclear fission, and therefore produces a quick release of energy and great destruction.

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atomic bomb ² Cultural  

1. A nuclear weapon whose enormous explosive power results from the sudden release of energy from a fission reaction. (See also Hiroshima (see also Hiroshima), hydrogen bomb, Nagasaki, and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT].)

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Etymology

Origin of atomic bomb

First recorded in 1910–15

Compare meaning

How does atomic-bomb compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hydrogen bomb vs. atomic bomb
• hydrogen vs. atomic bomb

Example Sentences

“The Morris Fire produced as much energy as a thousand atomic bombs,” Akira said.

From Literature

For his latest film, the quest for goosebumps took him to the frontier of AI as he followed researchers on an expedition they liken to the discovery of fire and electricity—or the atomic bomb.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The Most Awful Responsibility” sympathetically portrays Truman’s conflicted soul over the mass death inflicted by the atomic bomb.

From The Wall Street Journal

Not to be confused with movies about Fox News or Hedy Lamarr, “Bombshell” isn’t just a film about the atomic bomb either.

From The Wall Street Journal

It also produced vital elements for use in atomic bombs.

From BBC

Related Words

• atom bomb
• hydrogen bomb
• neutron bomb
• nuclear warhead