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

Trump has said his priorities for any deal include stopping Iran from any nuclear weapon development and re-opening the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told state TV Iran was ready "to assure the world that we are not after a nuclear weapon."

From BBC • May 25, 2026

Trump said the U.S. and China agreed that the war in Iran should end, that ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz should be free and that Iran should never get a nuclear weapon.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

The White House also said both leaders agreed Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon and that Xi opposed any efforts to charge a toll in the Strait of Hormuz.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

US officials had known that the Soviets would eventually be able to build a nuclear weapon, but the nation's top intelligence experts estimated that the Soviets' nuclear capability was still four years away.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

• atomic bomb
• hydrogen bomb
• neutron bomb