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.

---

nuclear weapon Scientific  

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

---

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.

---

Pronunciation

See nuclear ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of nuclear weapon

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Beijing had long openly opposed North Korea’s push to obtain nuclear weapons, often mentioning denuclearization as a goal with the regime of its leader, Kim Jong Un.

From The Wall Street Journal

He needs Chinese cooperation in pressuring the North's Kim Jong Un to give up his nuclear weapons.

From BBC

Tokyo is also worried about North Korea, which claims to have test-fired long-range strategic cruise missiles that could carry conventional and nuclear weapons.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s also why some allied officials have suggested deploying nuclear weapons on their soil.

From The Wall Street Journal

Western powers and Israel accuse Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.

From Barron's

Related Words

• atomic bomb
• hydrogen bomb
• neutron bomb