NUCLEAR WEAPON Definition & Meaning

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nuclear weapon

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

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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

nuclear weapon

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

nuclear weapon

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.

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Pronunciation Note

See nuclear ( def. ).

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of nuclear weapon¹

First recorded in 1945–50

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Baier didn't buy it, pointing out that U.S. intelligence has found no proof of an Iranian nuclear weapons program.

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Uranium-235 is essential both for nuclear power stations and also for nuclear weapons.

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He said Israel had acted because "if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time".

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That is the thrust of what Netanyahu has said by way of reason for the attack now – that intelligence shows that Iran was getting closer to a possible breakout status for a nuclear weapon.

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Israel, and several Western countries, suspect that Iran has been secretly working towards what is called "breakout capability", meaning the point of no return in developing a viable nuclear weapon.

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Related 51�Թ�s

nuclear waste nuclear weapon state

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