neutron bomb

American  

noun

1. a nuclear bomb designed to release radiation consisting mainly of neutrons, thus causing extensive loss of life but relatively little damage to buildings and property and only brief radioactive contamination.

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neutron bomb British  

noun

1. Technical name: enhanced radiation weapon.  a type of nuclear weapon designed to provide a high yield of neutrons but to cause little blast or long-lived radioactive contamination. The neutrons destroy all life in the target area, which theoretically can be entered relatively soon after the attack

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Etymology

Origin of neutron bomb

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

“This was a real sort of neutron bomb that went off in his summer,” Chris Krewson said.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2024

It was enough to earn him the nickname he hated but could never shake: “Neutron Jack,” a reference to the neutron bomb, which purportedly kills people while leaving buildings intact.

From New York Times • May 21, 2022

Samuel T. Cohen, the inventor of the neutron bomb, died in Los Angeles at age 89.

From Washington Times • Nov. 28, 2020

A trailer for Stranger Things 3 has just dropped with all the weight of a neutron bomb.

From The Guardian • Mar. 20, 2019

But—the day that neutron bomb was accidentally fired and started the rash of Psi mutations in the ring outside the fatal area centering on Logan, your parents were in a jet airliner.

From Modus Vivendi by Berryman, John

Related Words

• atomic bomb
• hydrogen bomb
• nuclear warhead