[noo-klee-er, nyoo- or, by metathesis, -kyuh-ler] 
| 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, pertaining to, or forming a nucleus. |
| 5. | of, pertaining to, or like the nuclear family: nuclear bonds. |
| 6. | nuclear energy: switching to nuclear as a power source. |
[-klee-er] , 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 [-kyuh-ler]. Since [-klee-er], the common pronunciation of ‑cle⋅ar, might also be represented, broadly, as [-kluh-yer], the [-kyuh-ler] pronunciation can be seen as coming from a process of metathesis, in which the [l] and the [y] 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.| nu·cle·ar (nōō'klē-ər, nyōō'-) adj.
[From nucleus.] Usage Note: The pronunciation (nōō'kyə-lər), which is generally considered incorrect, is an example of how a familiar phonological pattern can influence an unfamiliar one. The usual pronunciation of the final two syllables of this word is (-klē-ər), but this sequence of sounds is rare in English. Much more common is the similar sequence (-kyə-lər), which occurs in words like particular, circular, spectacular, and in many scientific words like molecular, ocular, and vascular. |
nuclear nu·cle·ar (n&oomacr;'klē-ər, ny&oomacr;'-)
adj.
Of or forming a nucleus.
Of or relating to atomic nuclei.
nuclear (n 'klē-ər) Pronunciation Key
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kli