reactor

noun

re·​ac·​tor rē-ˈak-tər 

1

: one that reacts

2

: a device (such as a coil, winding, or conductor of small resistance) used to introduce reactance into an alternating-current circuit

3

a

: a vat for an industrial chemical reaction

b

: a device for the controlled release of nuclear energy (as for producing heat)

Examples of reactor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

State of play: Just three of 13 reactors retired in the last decade could be restarted, FTI managing director Enrique Glotzer tells Axios. —Alan Neuhauser, Axios, 23 Sep. 2024

There is growing bipartisan support from federal and state governments to revive the nuclear industry after a decade-long wave of reactor shutdowns. —Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2024

The reactor is located next to — but is fully independent from — the Three Mile Island Unit 2 reactor, which partially melted down in 1979. —Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 20 Sep. 2024

The agency also noted that the incident led to changes in nuclear plant operations, as well as regulatory oversight and reactor safety. —David Chiu, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reactor

• atomic reactor
• hyper-reactor
• nuclear reactor

Kids Definition

reactor

noun

re·​ac·​tor rē-ˈak-tər 

1

: one that reacts

2

: a device for the controlled release of nuclear energy (as for producing heat)

Medical Definition

reactor

noun

re·​ac·​tor rē-ˈak-tər 

1

: one that reacts: as

a

: a chemical reagent

b

: an individual reacting to a stimulus

c

: an individual reacting positively to a foreign substance (as in a test for disease)

reactors to tuberculin

2

a

: a piece of equipment in which a chemical reaction and especially an industrial chemical reaction is carried out

b

: a device for the controlled release of nuclear energy (as for producing heat)