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.

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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

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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

Stopping the nuke would give them more time to gather intelligence, but we learn there’s only a 61% chance of intercepting it.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025

You may have said things you regret, and rather than look through your posts with a fine-toothed comb, you nuke everything in the name of reputation preservation.

From Slate • May 7, 2024

“Economic interdependence was seen as the way to world peace — people who trade with each other are less likely to nuke each other.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 28, 2023

By then the boys are ready to nuke the deal.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2023

It doesn’t nuke you a coward because they sing it.”

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White