atomic pile

American  

noun

Physics.

1. reactor.

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atomic pile British  

noun

1. the original name for a nuclear reactor

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atomic pile Scientific  

1. An early type of nuclear reactor whose core consisted of layers of graphite block interspersed with uranium, designed to create a sustained fission reaction.

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Etymology

Origin of atomic pile

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Progress on the atomic pile gave reason for optimism, but Fermi—unhappily relocated to Chicago on Compton’s orders—was still building only prototypes.

From Literature

“A German prisoner,” reported Pash, “confirmed the fact that we had captured the Nazi uranium ‘machine’ as the Germans called it-—actually an atomic pile.”

From Literature

These are materials such as carbon, iodine or phosphorus that are radioactivated in atomic piles, so that they give off a steady stream of radiation waves.

From US News

Nor can they be slowed down by letting them collide with the nuclei of a "moderator" material, as neutrons are slowed in atomic piles.

From Scientific American

It had knocked out their electrical system temporarily, burned out some of its parts and caused the A-G system to fail, although the atomic piles were impervious to such currents.

From Project Gutenberg