nuclear energy

[noo-klee-er en-er-jee, nyoo-]

noun

1. energy released by reactions within atomic nuclei, as in nuclear fission or fusion.

nuclear energy

noun

1. Also called: atomic energy. energy released during a nuclear reaction as a result of fission or fusion

nuclear energy

1. The energy released by the nucleus of an atom as the result of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, or radioactive decay. The amount of energy released by the nuclear fission of a given mass of uranium is about 2,500,000 times greater than that released by the combustion of an equal mass of carbon. And the amount of energy released by the nuclear fusion of a given mass of deuterium is about 400 times greater that that released by the nuclear fission of an equal mass of uranium.

2. Also called atomic energy

3. Electricity generated by a nuclear reactor.

nuclear energy

1. Energy obtained from nuclear reactions.

Pronunciation Note

See nuclear ( def. ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuclear energy¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Related Words

• atomic energy 
• nuclear power