nuclear weapon

[ noo-klee-er wep-uhn, nyoo- ]

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

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

nuclear weapon

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 Note

See nuclear ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuclear weapon¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Putin has threatened the use of nuclear weapons before, and Ukraine has criticised it as "nuclear sabre-rattling" to deter its allies from providing further support.

From BBC

At times, Putin has mooted the possibility of using nuclear weapons, too.

From BBC

The following month, the Kremlin leader announced imminent changes to the Russian nuclear doctrine, the document setting out the preconditions under which Moscow might decide to use a nuclear weapon.

From BBC

It was like being "microwaved", he tells the BBC film, as his body was exposed to the raw power of a nuclear weapon.

From BBC

Trump has likened the new initiative to the Manhattan Project, a top-secret World War Two programme to develop the first nuclear weapons.

From BBC

Related Words

• atomic bomb
• hydrogen bomb
• neutron bomb