nuclear weapon

American  

[noo-klee-er wep-uhn, nyoo-] / ˈnu kli ər ˈwɛp ən, ˈnyu- /

noun

1. an explosive device whose destructive potential derives from the release of energy that accompanies the splitting or combining of atomic nuclei.

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nuclear weapon Scientific  

1. A weapon whose destructive power comes from nuclear energy; an atomic bomb or a hydrogen bomb.

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nuclear weapon Cultural  

1. Any weapon that employs a nuclear reaction for its explosive power. Nuclear weapons include ballistic missiles, bombs (see atomic bomb (see also atomic bomb) and hydrogen bomb), artillery rounds, and mines.

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Pronunciation

See nuclear ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of nuclear weapon

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The expiration of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, known as New Start, left the US and Russia without major guardrails on their nuclear weapons programmes for the first time in the 21st Century.

From BBC

The last U.S.-Russia nuclear weapons treaty expires this week.

From Salon

Iran has insisted its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and denied that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

From BBC

The last nuclear weapons control treaty between the US and Russia is due to expire on Thursday, raising fears of a new arms race.

From BBC

The most threatening stockpile is almost 1,000 pounds of uranium enriched to 60%, which without further enrichment could be used to make a crude nuclear weapon.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• atomic bomb
• hydrogen bomb
• neutron bomb