nuclear fuel

American  

[noo-klee-er fyoo-uhl, nyoo-] / ˈnu kli ər ˈfju əl, ˈnju- /

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.

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nuclear fuel British  

noun

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

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Pronunciation

See nuclear ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of nuclear fuel

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

However, it needs to be "enriched" first, a process that involves increasing the concentration of uranium-235 isotope - the essential component of nuclear fuel.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026

The Russian strike on Chornobyl "partially destroyed" a spent nuclear fuel storage building, according to Ukraine's state-owned nuclear operator, Enerhoatom.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

How the spent nuclear fuel from future SMRs would be managed "has not been decided yet," Multala said.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

The work will support nuclear fuel research and development at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

The uranium pellets that form nuclear fuel rods are held together by a thin coating, called cladding, of the metal zirconium.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland