nuke

American  

[nook, nyook] / nuk, nyuk /

noun

1. a nuclear or thermonuclear weapon.

2. a nuclear power plant or nuclear reactor.

3. nuclear energy.

   to convert from coal to nuke.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to a nuclear or thermonuclear weapon or to a nuclear plant.

verb (used with object)

nuked, nuking

1. to attack, defeat, or destroy with or as if with nuclear weapons.

2. Slang. to cook or bake in a microwave oven.

nuke British  

/ njuːk /

verb

1. to attack or destroy with nuclear weapons

---

noun

1. a nuclear bomb

2. a military strike with nuclear weapons

3. nuclear power

4. a nuclear power plant

Etymology

Origin of nuke

First recorded in 1945–50; by shortening and respelling

Example Sentences

Littler is nicknamed "The Nuke" and his Instagram account -- which features updates of life away from darts including recently passing his car driving test -- has 1.9 million followers.

From Barron's • Dec. 30, 2025

Littler, who plays under the nickname of The Nuke, said it had been "an amazing year for me personally, and for the sport of darts as a whole".

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2024

Nuke Bizzle’s video had more than 400,000 views on YouTube at the time Baines was arrested.

From Washington Times • Nov. 20, 2022

When Tim Robbins’ character, Nuke, is removed from the movie because he’s going to the big leagues, that removes the barrier to Crash and Annie getting together.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 26, 2022

Bud whether it wor goast or not,    I heddant time to luke, p. 56Fer I wor taken be surprise,    When turning t’Sharman’s Nuke.

From Random Rhymes and Rambles by Wright, William Aldis