nu‧cle‧ar W2 AC /ˈnjuːkliə $ ˈnuːkliər/ adjective [usually before noun]
[Date: 1800-1900; Origin: nucleus]

1. relating to or involving the nucleus (=central part) of an atom, or the energy produced when the nucleus of an atom is either split or joined with the nucleus of another atom:
France’s reliance on nuclear energy
a nuclear power station
a nuclear-powered submarine

2. relating to or involving the use of weapons that use nuclear energy ⇒ anti-nuclear, conventional
nuclear bomb/weapon/missile etc
the threat of nuclear attack
concern about the country’s nuclear weapons program
With the collapse of the former Soviet Union, the possibility of a nuclear holocaust (=a nuclear war that destroys much of the Earth) was greatly reduced.
a nuclear testing area

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲