mininuke

[ min-ee-nook, -nyook ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a low-powered nuclear device.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mininuke¹

First recorded in 1970–75; mini- + nuke

Example Sentences

If the Russians seem to believe the nonsense they’re spouting, if they do believe they can lob a mininuke at Europe and make us back off, is it enough simply to wave them away and insist that we have all the firepower we need to deter them?

From Slate

Related Words

• atomic bomb
• hydrogen bomb
• neutron bomb