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

Derived Forms

• ˌfissionaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• fission·a·bili·ty noun
• non·fission·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fissionable¹

First recorded in 1940–45; fission + -able

Example Sentences

There's one moon, almost solid nickel iron, and fissionable-ore deposits.

From Project Gutenberg

Do you know why that planet was so extensively colonized by the Federation, when there don't seem to be any fissionable ores?

From Project Gutenberg

The neutron source, the neutron reflector, and one piece of fissionable material were in place.

From Project Gutenberg

What makes the whole thing terrible is that the freighter is loaded with fissionable material exported from Ganymede.

From Project Gutenberg

Randy and Manuel were already arguing about how much fissionable a freighter like that could carry.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• thermonuclear