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

North Korea recently dismissed any attempts to convince it to give up its nuclear weapons as a “mockery of the other party.”

From Los Angeles Times

Iran strongly insists it is not seeking nuclear weapons, and that its nuclear programme is solely a civilian one.

From BBC

The North Korean leader vowed to speed up his aim to increase the country's stash of nuclear weapons.

From BBC

In exchange, Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons.

From Los Angeles Times

Humanity could recover its moral bearings and pursue the abolition of nuclear weapons and the renunciation of war, or accept the inevitability that such man-made forces would ultimately abolish most or all of us.

From Salon

Related Words

• atomic bomb 
• hydrogen bomb 
• neutron bomb