thermonuclear reaction

American  

noun

Chemistry, Physics.

1. a nuclear-fusion reaction that takes place between the nuclei of a gas, especially hydrogen, heated to a temperature of several million degrees.

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thermonuclear reaction British  

noun

1. a nuclear fusion reaction occurring at a very high temperature: responsible for the energy produced in the sun, nuclear weapons, and fusion reactors See nuclear fusion hydrogen bomb

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thermonuclear reaction Cultural  

1. A reaction between nuclei, usually fusion, which releases very large amounts of energy.

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Example Sentences

This thermonuclear reaction creates vast amounts of light and heat, allowing our home star to shine.

From Scientific American

It’s the thermonuclear reaction that powers the sun and other stars — the fusing of hydrogen atoms into helium.

From New York Times

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory announced Tuesday that they had made a major breakthrough in studying fusion, a.k.a. the thermonuclear reaction that keeps the sun going.

From New York Times

Fusion is the thermonuclear reaction that lights up the sun and other stars — the fusing of hydrogen atoms into helium.

From New York Times

Fusion is the thermonuclear reaction that powers the sun and other stars — the fusing of hydrogen atoms into helium.

From New York Times