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

Industrial heat, which is needed to run kilns, reactors, and boilers, represents roughly three-quarters of energy use in U.S. manufacturing and remains overwhelmingly fossil-fuelled. —Ankit Mishra, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Unlike traditional power plants, small modular reactors, or SMRs, are built in factories and transported to a site for installation. —Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 5 Aug. 2025

The owner or operator of 25 reactors across six states plans to add capacity at two of its plants through such deals. —Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2025

The company plans to mass manufacture its reactor and pods to serve data centers. —Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reactor

• atomic reactor
• hyper-reactor
• nuclear reactor

Rhymes for reactor

• attractor
• cofactor
• compactor
• contactor
• contractor
• distractor
• extractor
• impactor
• protractor
• redactor
• refractor
• retractor

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)