nonnuclear

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

adjective

1. not utilizing nuclear power, nuclear weapons, etc.:

   to fight a nonnuclear war.

Pronunciation Note

See nuclear.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonnuclear¹

First recorded in 1950–55; non- + nuclear

Example Sentences

The exclusive deal with the global investment firm KKR is part of PG&E’s plan to transfer its nonnuclear power generation to a newly formed subsidiary, Pacific Generation.

From New York Times

I’m thinking of how North Korean leader Kim Jong-un implicitly threatened to nuke his nonnuclear southern neighbor recently.

From Salon

The result was the Washington Declaration, in which Seoul pledged to remain in the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a nonnuclear weapons state, and the United States said it would strengthen consultations on nuclear planning with its ally.

From Seattle Times

As Reuters explained, "The Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons, signed by the Soviet Union, says that no nuclear power can transfer nuclear weapons or technology to a nonnuclear power, but it does allow for the weapons to be deployed outside its borders but under its control—as with U.S. nuclear weapons in Europe."

From Salon

Australia notes that the Non-Proliferation Treaty does not bar a nonnuclear weapon state from acquiring naval nuclear propulsion technology.

From Washington Post