photonuclear

[ foh-toh-noo-klee-er, -nyoo-or, by metathesis, -kyuh-ler ]

adjective

, Physics.

1. of, relating to, or caused by the collision of high-energy photons with the nucleus of an atom.

photonuclear

/ ˌfəʊtəʊˈnjuːklɪə /

adjective

1. physics of or concerned with a nuclear reaction caused by a photon

Pronunciation Note

See nuclear.

Word History and Origins

Origin of photonuclear¹

First recorded in 1940–45; photo- + nuclear