nonnuclear

[ non-noo-klee-er, -nyoo- or, by metathesis, -kyuh-ler ]

/ nɒnˈnu kli ər, -ˈnyu- or, by metathesis, -kyə lər /

Save This Word!

adjective

not utilizing nuclear power, nuclear weapons, etc.: to fight a nonnuclear war.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of nonnuclear

First recorded in 1950–55; non- + nuclear

how to pronounce nonnuclear

See nuclear.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use nonnuclear in a sentence

Iran is also looking at non-nuclear paths to regain the upper hand.
Washington And Tehran’s Perpetual Search For The Upper Hand|Trita Parsi|February 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But in a non-nuclear situation, dissatisfaction often rises after the dust settles on the ruins.
Hamas's Temporary Popularity Bump|Daniel Serwer|November 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It was the largest non-nuclear explosion since World War II.
Beirut: Echoes Of 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing In Hassan Attack|Mike Giglio|October 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The US has not struck Iranian nuclear facilities - and yet Iran remains a non-nuclear-weapons state.
My Plan For Iran: Bugs, Not Bombs|David Frum|September 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The president's announcement that he will not use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear nations is unlikely to do us any harm.
The Need for New Nuclear Weapons|Stephen L. Carter|April 7, 2010|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for nonnuclear

non-nuclear

adjective

not of, concerned with, or operated by energy from fission or fusion of atomic nucleinon-nuclear weapons

not involving, concerned with, or possessing nuclear weaponsnon-nuclear states

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012