atomic bomb

noun

1

: a bomb whose violent explosive power is due to the sudden release of energy resulting from the splitting of nuclei of a heavy chemical element (such as plutonium or uranium) by neutrons in a very rapid chain reaction

called also atom bomb

2

: a nuclear weapon (such as a hydrogen bomb)

Examples of atomic bomb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The atomic bomb and Nazi medical experimentation had shown that science — and by extension, medicine — could not be untethered from ethical values, Veatch wrote. —Eric Boodman, STAT, 20 Jan. 2026

Set up in 1943, the site was tasked with making weapons-grade plutonium for American atomic bombs. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026

A number of officials recently expressed support for Japan’s nuclear possession, which has led to criticism from Japanese atomic bomb survivors and other pacifist groups. —Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025

The free Bradbury Science Museum, at Los Alamos Laboratory, features interactive exhibits regarding the Manhattan Project that led to the creation of the first atomic bomb. —Sharael Kolberg, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for atomic bomb

• microbiome
• aplomb
• balaam
• cocom
• embalm
• islam
• pogrom
• salaam
• sitcom
• balm
• bom
• calm

Kids Definition

atomic bomb

noun

1

: a bomb whose violent explosive power is due to the sudden release of energy resulting from the splitting of nuclei of a heavy chemical element (as plutonium or uranium) by neutrons

called also atom bomb

2

: hydrogen bomb