nuclear fusion

American  

[noo-klee-er fyoo-zhuhn, nyoo-] / ˈnu kli ər ˈfyu ʒən, ˈnyu- /

noun

1. fusion.

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nuclear fusion British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: fusion.  a reaction in which two nuclei combine to form a nucleus with the release of energy Compare nuclear fission See also thermonuclear reaction

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fusion, nuclear Cultural  

1. The combining of two small atomic nuclei to form a larger nucleus, sometimes with the release of energy. (Compare nuclear fission.)

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Pronunciation

See nuclear ( def. ).

Discover More

The use of fusion as a controllable energy source on Earth is still in its experimental stages.

The fusion of hydrogen into helium releases huge amounts of energy and is the main energy source of stars, including the sun.

Hydrogen bombs use the energy of fusion.

Etymology

Origin of nuclear fusion

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

BH* objects are not true stars because they lack nuclear fusion in their centers.

From Science Daily

Throughout its life, a star keeps a stable spherical shape because gravity pulls inward while pressure from nuclear fusion pushes outward.

From Science Daily

In documents released afterwards the areas for investment also included defence, drugs, critical minerals, aerospace and space, cyber security, quantum computing and nuclear fusion.

From Barron's

While nuclear fusion might solve energy-grid problems in the distant future, it could take decades to play out based on practical and recent history.

From MarketWatch

In the longer term, Google is looking toward nuclear fusion as opposed to fission: While the latter is used currently in power plants, the former can provide much more energy in a potentially safer process.

From The Wall Street Journal