nuclear

adjective

nu·​cle·​ar ˈnü-klē-ər How to pronounce nuclear (audio) ˈnyü- How to pronounce nuclear (audio)
 nonstandard  -kyə-lər
1
: of, relating to, or constituting a nucleus
annexation of the suburban fringe by the nuclear metropolisW. H. Wickwar
2
a
: of or relating to the atomic nucleus
nuclear reaction
nuclear physics
b
: used in or produced by a nuclear reaction (such as fission)
nuclear fuel
nuclear waste
nuclear energy
c(1)
: being a weapon whose destructive power derives from an uncontrolled nuclear reaction
(2)
: of, produced by, or involving nuclear weapons
the nuclear age
nuclear war
(3)
: armed with nuclear weapons
nuclear powers
d
: of, relating to, or powered by nuclear energy
a nuclear submarine
the nuclear debate
a nuclear plant
How do you pronounce nuclear?: Usage Guide

Though disapproved of by many, pronunciations ending in \-kyə-lər\ have been found in widespread use among educated speakers including scientists, lawyers, professors, congressmen, U.S. cabinet members, and at least two U.S. presidents and one vice president. While most common in the U.S., these pronunciations have also been heard from British and Canadian speakers.

Phrases
go nuclear
informal
: to become wildly excited or upset : go berserk
To say the crowd went wild is an understatement. The crowd went nuclear. Outside the stadium, cars were overturned and fires were set. We sportswriters huddled inside, fearing for our lives.Tony Kornheiser

Examples of nuclear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Titan Missile Museum, Sahuarita During the Cold War, the Tucson area bristled with underground nuclear missile silos. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 1 Jan. 2025 Meanwhile in London, The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975–1998 at the Barbican explored the time between two pivotal moments in India’s history: Indira Gandhi’s declaration of a state of emergency in 1975 and the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998. Nargess Banks, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025 As the threat of atomic bombs was top of mind for many Americans, who expected nuclear war to break out at any time, the hope for peace and harmony in the new year was real. Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 31 Dec. 2024 That’s because these traders see independent power producers’ nuclear and gas capabilities as key to technology companies looking to build out data centers for AI. Alex Harring, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nuclear 

Word History

Etymology

nucle(us) + -ar

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nuclear was in 1822

Dictionary Entries Near nuclear

Cite this Entry

“Nuclear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nuclear. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

nuclear

adjective
nu·​cle·​ar ˈn(y)ü-klē-ər How to pronounce nuclear (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being a nucleus (as of a cell)
2
: of, relating to, or using the atomic nucleus
nuclear reactions
3
: being or relating to energy or a weapon that involves a nuclear reaction
nuclear energy
a nuclear war
nuclear power plants

Medical Definition

nuclear

adjective
nu·​cle·​ar ˈn(y)ü-klē-ər How to pronounce nuclear (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or constituting a nucleus
2
: of, relating to, or utilizing the atomic nucleus, atomic energy, the atomic bomb, or atomic power
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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