nuclear fuel

[noo-klee-er fyoo-uhl, nyoo-]

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

noun

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

Pronunciation Note

See nuclear ( def. ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuclear fuel¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The reactors themselves are also designed to run on recycled nuclear fuel, targeting concerns about access to fuel sources while also attempting to address concerns about nuclear waste.

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A total of 880 metric tons of hazardous material - a mixture of melted nuclear fuel and reactor structures - still remain inside the Fukushima plant.

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What if its 400kg of 60% enriched uranium – the nuclear fuel that is just a small step away from being fully weapons-grade, enough for ten bombs or so – is not destroyed?

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Inside one or more large reactor vessels, atoms of nuclear fuel are split, releasing a large amount of heat.

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The EU's reliance on Russian gas, oil and nuclear fuel poses "risks to our economic security" and financially supports Russia's war economy, the report said.

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