mushroom cloud

American  

noun

1. mushroom.

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mushroom cloud British  

noun

1. the large mushroom-shaped cloud of dust, debris, etc produced by a nuclear explosion

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Etymology

Origin of mushroom cloud

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

But Wright, whose agency oversees testing, said people living in the Nevada desert should have "no worries" about seeing a mushroom cloud.

From BBC

"Facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof - the smoking gun - that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud," Bush said in an October 2002 televised speech.

From BBC

Years later, it still felt awkward dancing away to “Enola Gay,” and even more so after the group flashed images of the notorious aircraft and a mushroom cloud on screens.

From Los Angeles Times

Both Russian and Ukrainian media channels and Telegram accounts posted videos and pictures from the site, showing a raging blaze with metres-high flames and mushroom clouds from the explosion.

From BBC

“Thank God they caught him before the fires … there would have been a mushroom cloud over his house,” Chappelle said.

From Los Angeles Times