nuclear power

American  

[noo-klee-er pou-er, nyoo-] / ˈnu kli ər ˈpaʊ ər, ˈnju- /

noun

1. power derived from nuclear energy.

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nuclear power British  

noun

1. Also called: atomic power.  power, esp electrical or motive, produced by a nuclear reactor

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nuclear power Cultural  

1. The electrical power generated by a nuclear reactor.

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Pronunciation

See nuclear ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of nuclear power

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Energy-hungry India -- the world's most populous country with 1.4 billion people -- has plans to drastically expand its nuclear power capacity.

From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026

He also suggested that with a first-of-its-kind nuclear power station to be built on Anglesey, bringing up to 3,000 jobs, it could have a "significant impact on the local housing market".

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

Renewable energy, nuclear power and conservation were certainly pieces of the solution puzzle.

From Salon • Jun. 26, 2026

At Hinkley Point, on the West Somerset coast, they are building a nuclear power station.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026

Instead, Voyager relies on a small nuclear power plant, drawing hundreds of watts from the radioactive decay of a pellet of plutonium.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• atomic energy