thermonuclear

American  

[thur-moh-noo-klee-er, -nyoo-, -kyuh-ler] / ˌθɜr moʊˈnu kli ər, -ˈnyu-, -kyə lər /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving a thermonuclear reaction.

   thermonuclear power.

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thermonuclear British  

/ ˌθɜːməʊˈnjuːklɪə /

adjective

1. involving nuclear fusion

   a thermonuclear reaction

   thermonuclear energy

2. involving thermonuclear weapons

   a thermonuclear war

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thermonuclear Scientific  

/ thûr′mō-no̅o̅′klē-ər /

1. Relating to the fusion of atomic nuclei at high temperatures or to the energy produced in this way.

2. Relating to weapons based on nuclear fusion, especially as distinguished from those based on nuclear fission.

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thermonuclear Cultural  

1. A term referring to devices that use nuclear fusion, the fusion of atomic nuclei, to produce energy at very high temperatures. (See hydrogen bomb.)

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Pronunciation

See nuclear.

Etymology

Origin of thermonuclear

First recorded in 1935–40; thermo- + nuclear