thermonuclear

adjective

ther·​mo·​nu·​cle·​ar ˌthər-mō-ˈnü-klē-ər 

-ˈnyü-,

nonstandard

-ˈn(y)ü-kyə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, or employing transformations in the nuclei of atoms of low atomic weight (such as hydrogen) that require a very high temperature for their inception (as in the hydrogen bomb or in the sun)

thermonuclear reaction

thermonuclear weapon

2

: of, utilizing, or relating to a thermonuclear bomb

thermonuclear war

a thermonuclear attack

Examples of thermonuclear in a Sentence

Hydrogen bombs are thermonuclear weapons.

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists can’t yet explain the nebula’s eye-catching shape, but a new study has revealed hidden details of its formation, and researchers now hope to learn more about the mysterious thermonuclear processes that caused it. —Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024

The material sits on the surface of the white dwarf until there is enough material to ignite a thermonuclear runaway explosion -- a buildup of pressure and heat. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2024

The film’s ecological subtext seems negligible; Charles’s fear of thermonuclear war is now a joke, after the worldwide embrace of self-destruction during the Covid apocalypse. —Armond White, National Review, 25 Sep. 2024

The most blatant recent violation of the three norms occurred with North Korea’s 2017 test of what is suspected to have been a thermonuclear weapon. —Doreen Horschig, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

thermonuclear

adjective

ther·​mo·​nu·​cle·​ar ˌthər-mō-ˈn(y)ü-klē-ər 

: of or relating to the transformations in the nucleus of atoms of low atomic weight (as hydrogen) that require a very high temperature (as in the hydrogen bomb or in the sun)

a thermonuclear reaction

a thermonuclear weapon