nuclear
/ˈnjuː.kli.ə/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
- 1.
Relating to the nucleus of an atom, especially the energy released when atoms split or join. It is often used for power, weapons, and science.
- The country plans to build a nuclear plant.
- Scientists study nuclear reactions.
- Nuclear weapons are highly destructive.
- 2.
Relating to the central part of something, especially a family. A nuclear family has two parents and their children.
- They live in a nuclear family.
- Her nuclear family moved to Delhi.
- The report compares nuclear and extended families.
Adinary Nuance
Nuclear is more specific than powerful or atomic. Use nuclear for atoms, energy, weapons, or a family with parents and children. It is not the same as normal, chemical, or electrical, which describe different kinds of energy or science.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- hạt nhân
- Spanish
- nuclear
- Chinese
- 核
- Japanese
- 核の
- Korean
- 핵의
Etymology
Nuclear comes from nucleus, which entered English from Latin in the 1600s. The scientific sense became common in the 1900s, especially after atomic research.
Common phrases
nuclear powernuclear energynuclear weaponnuclear family
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is nuclear a formal word?
- Yes. It is common in science, news, and academic writing.
- What is the difference between nuclear and atomic?
- Nuclear usually refers to the atom's nucleus and energy from it. Atomic is broader and often used in older or general scientific writing.
- Can nuclear describe a family?
- Yes. A nuclear family means parents and their children only.
- Is nuclear used in everyday speech?
- Yes, but mostly in topics about power, weapons, and family structure.