Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

thermonuclear

 - 4 dictionary results

ther⋅mo⋅nu⋅cle⋅ar

  [thur-moh-noo-klee-er, -nyoo- or, by metathesis, -kyuh-ler]
Use thermonuclear in a Sentence
–adjective
of, pertaining to, or involving a thermonuclear reaction: thermonuclear power.
Origin:
1935–40; thermo- + nuclear

Pronunciation note:
See nuclear.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To thermonuclear
ther·mo·nu·cle·ar   (thûr'mō-nōō'klē-ər, -nyōō'-)   
adj.  

  1. Of, relating to, or derived from the fusion of atomic nuclei at high temperatures: thermonuclear reactions.

  2. Of, relating to, or characterized by the use of atomic weapons based on fusion, especially as distinguished from those based on fission: thermonuclear war.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

thermonuclear

A term referring to devices that use nuclear fusion, the fusion of atomic nuclei, to produce energy at very high temperatures. (See hydrogen bomb.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

thermonuclear 
1938 with ref. to stars, 1953 of weapons (technically only to describe the hydrogen bomb), from thermo- + nuclear.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see thermonuclear on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way