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

Last year, Macron said he was ready to discuss possible deployment of French aircraft armed with nuclear weapons in other European countries.

From Barron's

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted ahead of the talks that the Islamic republic was not "at all" seeking a nuclear weapon.

From Barron's

For example, in a recent experiment, Payne found that AI opted to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in 95% of the scenarios he designed, something that humans have never done.

From Salon

Hours before the speech, however, the Iranian foreign minister posted on social media that Iran would "under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon".

From BBC

Yet he also talks about doing a deal on nuclear weapons alone.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• atomic bomb
• hydrogen bomb
• neutron bomb