subcritical

American  

[suhb-krit-i-kuhl] / sʌbˈkrɪt ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. Physics. pertaining to a state, value, or quantity that is less than critical, especially to a mass of radioactive material.

2. being of less than critical importance.

---

subcritical British  

/ sʌbˈkrɪtɪkəl /

adjective

1. physics (of a nuclear reaction, power station, etc) having or involving a chain reaction that is not self-sustaining; not yet critical

---

Etymology

Origin of subcritical

First recorded in 1940–45; sub- + critical

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

subcritical

The U.S. has been modernizing its warheads with subcritical testing that produces zero nuclear yield.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 17, 2025

"Or he is talking about subcritical tests, but I don't think he has mastered that level of technology," she added, referring to low-yield tests authorised by the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2025

Washington, however, is preparing to conduct next year at the Nevada Test Site two so-called subcritical experiments involving fissile materials in amounts too small to ignite a nuclear explosion.

From Reuters ● Oct. 10, 2023

Scorpius will be fully assembled in an underground complex at the facility formerly known as the Nevada Test Site, where scientists have been conducting subcritical experiments since 1995 and nuclear testing dates to 1951.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 5, 2023

I suppose it would blow one subcritical mass into another.

From The Cosmic Computer by Piper, H. Beam