nucleate

American  

[noo-klee-it, -eyt, nyoo-, noo-klee-eyt, nyoo-] / ˈnu kli ɪt, -ˌeɪt, ˈnyu-, ˈnu kliˌeɪt, ˈnyu- /

adjective

1. having a nucleus.

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verb (used with object)

nucleated, nucleating

1. to form (something) into a nucleus.

verb (used without object)

nucleated, nucleating

1. to form a nucleus.

nucleate British  

adjective

1. having a nucleus

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verb

1. to form a nucleus

Other Word Forms

• multinucleate adjective
• nucleation noun
• nucleator noun
• unnucleated adjective

Etymology

Origin of nucleate

First recorded in 1860–65, nucleate is from the Latin word nucleātus having a kernel or stone. See nucleus, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

It is thought that small carbon clusters containing Si atoms might serve as the 'pre-nuclei', which can then grow further to nucleate a diamond.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2024

Over time, Duszyn´ski hopes the elite teams will nucleate Ukraine’s scientific revival, by strengthening their connections to top institutions all over the world.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 6, 2022

So I think it’s artistic license to suggest that that could nucleate some fireworks.

From The Verge • Dec. 17, 2021

Dark energy also destabilizes the system and causes universes to nucleate out like raindrops in a cloud.

From Scientific American • Aug. 6, 2012

In almost all nucleate cells the nucleus is resorbed when the cell reaches its full development, and it is larger and more important the younger the cell is.

From Form and Function A Contribution to the History of Animal Morphology by E. S. (Edward Stuart) Russell