fissile

[fis-uhl]

adjective

1. capable of being split or divided; cleavable.

2. Physics.

   1. fissionable.

   2. (of a nuclide) capable of undergoing fission induced by low-energy neutrons, as uranium 233 and 235.

fissile

/ ˈfɪsaɪl, fɪˈsɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. capable of undergoing nuclear fission as a result of the impact of slow neutrons

2. another word for fissionable

3. tending to split or capable of being split

Other Word Forms

• fissility noun
• nonfissile adjective
• nonfissility noun
• unfissile adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fissile¹

1655–65; < Latin fissilis, equivalent to fiss ( us ) ( fissi- ) + -ilis -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of fissile¹

C17: from Latin fissilis , from fissus split; see _fissi-

Example Sentences

Ever since Tehran resumed its fissile enrichment program in 2005, Republican and Democratic presidents alike have warned that the Islamic Republic could never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

From Los Angeles Times

"Iran has been at a near-zero breakout for months," she told the BBC, referring to the time it would take Iran to acquire enough fissile material for one bomb if it chose to do so.

From BBC

It is unclear when Mr Kim made the visit and if the site is at the North's sprawling Yongbyon nuclear complex, which produces fissile material for Pyongyang's nuclear weapons.

From BBC

Washington, however, is preparing to conduct next year at the Nevada Test Site two so-called subcritical experiments involving fissile materials in amounts too small to ignite a nuclear explosion.

From Reuters

President Joe Biden’s failure to revive it, Iran could make the fissile material for one bomb in 12 days or so, according to U.S. estimates, down from a year when the accord was in force.

From Reuters