Nuclear Meaning
/ˈn(j)u.kli.ɚ/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjPertaining to the nucleus of an atom.
adjInvolving energy released by nuclear reactions (fission, fusion, radioactive decay).
Sentence Examples
Only by prohibiting nuclear weapons altogether can we stop the arms race.
Nuclear weapons are a threat to all humanity.
Uranium is used to fuel nuclear plants.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ power plant generates electricity through the fission of heavy atoms.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The country is investing heavily in ____ energy as a way to reduce carbon emissions.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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."
— 2025 June 26, Kasra Naji, “When Iran's supreme leader emerges from hiding he will find a very different nation”, in BBC:
"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."
— 2011, Todd Lipscomb, Re-Made in the USA, →ISBN:
"The nuclear approach is the simpler of the two. When two constraints conflict, you can kill one of them."
— 2013, Erica Sadun, iOS Auto Layout Demystified, →ISBN, page 150:
"We’ve now had 20 years of cautionary tales about replyallpocalypses. For the sake of workplace harmony: keep your pointer off the nuclear button."
— 2017 February 3, Elle Hunt, “When is it appropriate to reply all? Mostly never”, in The Guardian:
"Republicans have taken the historic step of triggering the so-called "nuclear option" to change the rules of the Senate and push through Donald Trump's pick for the Supreme Court, after Democrats blocked the nomination."
— 2017 April 6, Mythili Sampathkumar, “Democrats filibuster forces Republicans to use 'nuclear option to confirm Trump's Supreme Court pick”, in The Independent:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ power plant generates electricity through the fission of heavy atoms.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The country is investing heavily in ____ energy as a way to reduce carbon emissions.