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nucleate

American  
[noo-klee-it, -eyt, nyoo-, noo-klee-eyt, nyoo-] / ˈnu kli ɪt, -ˌeɪt, ˈnyu-, ˈnu kliˌeɪt, ˈnyu- /

adjective

  1. having a nucleus.


verb (used with object)

nucleated, nucleating
  1. to form (something) into a nucleus.

verb (used without object)

nucleated, nucleating
  1. to form a nucleus.

nucleate British  

adjective

  1. having a nucleus

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to form a nucleus

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of nucleate

First recorded in 1860–65, nucleate is from the Latin word nucleātus having a kernel or stone. See nucleus, -ate 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The research team delved deeply into possible mechanisms for diamonds to nucleate and grow under these new conditions.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2024

“There also needs to be laboratory research to investigate the consequences of adding these metals to sulfuric acid particles. Can the particles nucleate ice and impact clouds and chemistry in the stratosphere?”

From Scientific American • Oct. 26, 2023

So I think it’s artistic license to suggest that that could nucleate some fireworks.

From The Verge • Dec. 17, 2021

The scientists then teased out how much of those fluctuations came from water being added to or subtracted from Earth’s surface, and calculated how that affected forces deep underground where earthquakes begin, or nucleate.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 15, 2017

In areas that have been collectivized there has been some effort to remove buildings from productive land and to nucleate the villages.

From Area Handbook for Romania by Bernier, Donald W.

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