nuclear

[noo-klee-er, nyoo-, -kyuh-ler]

adjective

1. pertaining to or involving atomic weapons.

   nuclear war.

2. operated or powered by atomic energy.

   a nuclear submarine.

3. (of a nation or group of nations) having atomic weapons.

4. of, relating to, or forming a nucleus.

5. of, relating to, or like the nuclear family.

   nuclear bonds.

noun

Informal.

1. nuclear energy.

   switching to nuclear as a power source.

nuclear

/ ˈnjuːklɪə /

adjective

1. of, concerned with, or involving the nucleus of an atom

   nuclear fission

2. biology of, relating to, or contained within the nucleus of a cell

   a nuclear membrane

3. of, relating to, forming, or resembling any other kind of nucleus

4. of, concerned with, or operated by energy from fission or fusion of atomic nuclei

   a nuclear weapon

5. involving, concerned with, or possessing nuclear weapons

   nuclear war

   a nuclear strike

nuclear

1. Relating to or forming a cell nucleus.

2. Relating to atomic nuclei.

3. Using energy derived from the nuclei of atoms through fission or fusion reactions.

Pronunciation Note

In pronouncing nuclear, the second and third syllables are most commonly said as , a sequence of sounds that directly reflects the spelled sequence ‑cle·ar. In recent years, a somewhat controversial pronunciation has come to public attention, with these two final syllables said as . Since , the common pronunciation of ‑cle·ar, might also be represented, broadly, as , the pronunciation can be seen as coming from a process of metathesis, in which the and the change places. The resulting pronunciation is reinforced by analogy with such words as molecular, particular, and muscular, and although it occurs with some frequency among highly educated speakers, including scientists, professors, and government officials, it is disapproved of by many.

Other Word Forms

• internuclear adjective
• multinuclear adjective
• postnuclear adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuclear¹

1840–50; nucle(us) + -ar ¹; compare French nucléaire

Example Sentences

Babcock at Rosyth is also running a trial project, begun earlier this year, to dismantle 23 retired submarines which were powered by nuclear reactors.

From BBC

It is not a hagiography but a raw account of a mother-daughter bond she calls "a respectful relationship between two nuclear powers. Which is OK, keep it cool".

From BBC

A swarm of jellyfish has caused major disruption at one of France's largest nuclear power plants, for the second time in a month.

From BBC

“I want them to see how Easy has developed and changed over the years. And that family, even though Easy’s doesn’t look like the nuclear family, is what America has always been about.”

From Los Angeles Times

After a long display of cutting-edge weaponry, including nuclear missiles, the parade concluded with thousands of doves and balloons released into the skies over Beijing.

From BBC

Related Words

• basic 
• essential 
• fundamental 
• important 
• key 
• paramount 
• pivotal 
• significant