nuclear weapon

American  

[noo-klee-er wep-uhn, nyoo-] / ˈnu kli ər ˈwɛp ən, ˈnyu- /

noun

1. an explosive device whose destructive potential derives from the release of energy that accompanies the splitting or combining of atomic nuclei.

---

nuclear weapon Scientific  

1. A weapon whose destructive power comes from nuclear energy; an atomic bomb or a hydrogen bomb.

---

nuclear weapon Cultural  

1. Any weapon that employs a nuclear reaction for its explosive power. Nuclear weapons include ballistic missiles, bombs (see atomic bomb (see also atomic bomb) and hydrogen bomb), artillery rounds, and mines.

---

Pronunciation

See nuclear ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of nuclear weapon

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Iran isn’t currently enriching uranium, U.S. officials have said, and would need to enrich it to weapons grade and also build a warhead or bomb if it wanted to become a nuclear weapons state.

From The Wall Street Journal

But trade with China, much of it through Dandong, is a key lifeline for North Korea's moribund economy, under UN sanctions because of its nuclear weapons programme.

From Barron's

The only justification, they calculated, would be an imminent threat, especially information that Iran was close to creating a nuclear weapon.

From BBC

“This war is going to suggest to some countries that if they want to secure their sovereignty, they need nuclear weapons,” Sagan said.

From Los Angeles Times

Pyongyang faces separate sanctions for its nuclear weapons programme.

From BBC

Related Words

• atomic bomb
• hydrogen bomb
• neutron bomb