China syndrome

American  

noun

1. a hypothetical nuclear-reactor accident in which the fuel would melt through the floor of the containment structure and burrow into the earth.

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Etymology

Origin of China syndrome

First recorded in 1970–75; from the jocular notion that the hot reactor core would pass through to the other side of the earth

Example Sentences

In 1979, she played a reporter in “The China Syndrome,” a film about a fictional meltdown at a nuclear power plant near Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

The daughter of Henry Fonda and sister of Peter Fonda, the “Klute” star got her start when she was 22 in “Tall Story,” and went on to headline several notable films including “Barbarella,” “Coming Home,” “9 to 5” and “The China Syndrome.”

From Los Angeles Times

The daughter of Henry Fonda, she made her feature debut in the 1960 romantic comedy “Tall Story” and enjoyed her greatest critical and commercial successes in a run of 1970s films that included Oscar-winning turns in “Klute” and “Coming Home,” and a lead in the politically charged thriller “The China Syndrome.”

From Los Angeles Times

Douglas, 78, is known for a wide-ranging career that includes films such as "The China Syndrome", "Basic Instinct", "Falling Down" and "Behind the Candelabra", all of which have been screened at Cannes.

From Reuters

"From my first time here in 1979 for 'The China Syndrome' to my most recent premiere for 'Behind the Candelabra' in 2013, the festival has always reminded me that magic of cinema is not just in what we see onscreen but in its ability to impact people all around the world."

From Reuters