nuclear
adjectivenouncommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈnjuː.klɪə(ɹ)//
- United States//ˈn(j)u.kli.ɚ//
- Canada//ˈn(j)u.kli.ɚ//
Pertaining to the nucleus of an atom.
adjective
- 1
Pertaining to the nucleus of an atom.
- 2
Involving energy released by nuclear reactions (fission, fusion, radioactive decay).
a nuclear reactor
nuclear technology
- 3
Relating to a weapon that derives its force from rapid release of energy through nuclear reactions.
a nuclear explosion
a nuclear power
- 4
Having nuclear weapons.
They will blame him for pursuing the ideological aim of destruction of Israel – something many Iranians don't support. They will blame him for what they perceive as a folly – his belief that achieving nuclear status would render his regime invincible.
- 5
figurativeInvolving an extreme course of action, or one with severe consequences.
nuclear option, nuclear solution
The states begging for aid get turned away; and sharp cuts in government employment, spending, and, eventually, pension payments are the only alternative future, beyond the nuclear solution of defaulting on our debt.
The nuclear approach is the simpler of the two. When two constraints conflict, you can kill one of them.
We’ve now had 20 years of cautionary tales about replyallpocalypses. For the sake of workplace harmony: keep your pointer off the nuclear button.
- 6
Pertaining to the nucleus of a cell.
However, the DNA in a bacterial cell is a single circular molecule and there is no separate nuclear compartment.
- 7
archaicPertaining to a centre around which something is developed or organised; central, pivotal.
Nuclear Polynesian languages include Hawaiian and Samoan.
- 8
Relating to, being of, or comprising the nuclear family.
Etymology
From Latin nū̆cleus, a contraction of the adjective nuculeus, masculine of feminine nuculea (“pertaining to a small nut”) from nucula + adjectival suffix -eus, -ea, -eum. The Latin nucula + -āris adds up to nuculāris, a term that in English becomes nucular; the Latin nuculea + -āris, becomes Latin nuculeāris (“relative to what pertains to small nut”), later contracted into nuclear. By surface analysis, nucleus + -ar. Compare muscle and Latin mūsculus; muscular and mūsculāris.
noun
- 1
Nuclear power.
The growth in wind capacity at first lagged behind the expansion of nuclear installations, but then it started to grow faster and is now outpacing nuclear.
- 2
Nuclear weapon
Admiral Burke believed that we would be able to beat off an amphibious attack, even if staged in conjunction with heavy aerial bombing, long enough to refer back to Washington and obtain authorization to use nuclears.
Forms
- plural
- nuclears
nuclear · Pertaining to the nucleus of an atom.
nucleus · The core, central part of something, around which other…nude · Without clothing or other covering of the skin; without…nudge · A gentle push.