fissionable

[fish-uh-nuh-buhl]

adjective

Physics.

1. capable of or possessing a nucleus or nuclei capable of undergoing fission.

   a fissionable nucleus; fissionable material.

fissionable

/ ˈfɪʃənəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of undergoing nuclear fission as a result of any process Compare fissile

Other Word Forms

• fissionability noun
• nonfissionable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fissionable¹

First recorded in 1940–45; fission + -able

Example Sentences

“But it is a weapon for aggressors, and the elements of surprise and of terror are as intrinsic to it as are the fissionable nuclei,” Oppenheimer writes.

From Seattle Times

Oppenheimer once called the atomic bomb “a weapon for aggressors” wherein “the elements of surprise and terror are as intrinsic to it as are the fissionable nuclei.”

From Washington Times

When the pieces came together, they created a supercritical mass of fissionable, explosive uranium.

From Los Angeles Times

Such a big presence would be needed to secure and remove WMD any materials with "enough fissionable plutonium and uranium by build up to 75 weapons by 2020," the report said.

From Fox News

Iran waited a year before beginning to break limits of the accord, each move slightly narrowing the estimated year it would need to have enough fissionable material for a nuclear weapon.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• thermonuclear