nuclear fuel

American  

[noo-klee-er fyoo-uhl, nyoo-] / ˈnu kli ər ˈfyu əl, ˈnyu- /

noun

1. Physics. fissile or fertile material that undergoes fission in a nuclear reactor.

2. any light element, as hydrogen or helium, that undergoes fusion and gives off energy within the interior of stars.

---

nuclear fuel British  

noun

1. a fuel that provides nuclear energy, used in nuclear power stations, nuclear submarines, etc

---

Pronunciation

See nuclear ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of nuclear fuel

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Carney said Canada was well positioned to contribute to energy-hungry India's nuclear fuel needs and added that the two countries were launching a strategic energy partnership.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

In stars at least 10 times more massive than our sun, this balance eventually breaks down when nuclear fuel runs low.

From Science Daily • Feb. 14, 2026

Uranium hexafluoride is an intermediate product between uranium ore and nuclear fuel pellets.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

During Friday’s negotiations in Oman, Iran refused to end enrichment of nuclear fuel or move it offshore, the Journal reports.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

The number of black holes, however, is almost certainly very much higher; in the long history of the universe, many stars must have burned all their nuclear fuel and have had to collapse.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking