nonnuclear
adjective
non·nu·cle·ar
ˌnän-ˈnü-klē-ər 
-ˈnyü-,
nonstandard
-kyə-lər
1
: not nuclear: such as
a
: being a weapon whose destructive power is not derived from a nuclear reaction
b
: not operated by, using, or produced by nuclear energy
c
: not using or involving nuclear weapons
2
: not having nuclear weapons
a nonnuclear country
Examples of nonnuclear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jon Wolfsthal, senior director for arms control and nonproliferation on Obama’s National Security Council, says U.S. officials might wish that the billions spent on B61 modernization were instead invested in nonnuclear capabilities, American troop presence and support for Ukraine.
—
Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2022
The prospect of South Korea, a nonnuclear state, acquiring its own weapons threatens to destabilize nuclear disarmament efforts and inflame already high tensions with Pyongyang.
—Dasl Yoon, WSJ, 12 Jan. 2023
Such a group could bring together nuclear and nonnuclear technical and health professionals for education and training, and help to meet the preparedness, coordination, collaboration and staffing requirements necessary to respond to a large-scale nuclear crisis.
—Cham Dallas, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2020
Australia notes that the Non-Proliferation Treaty does not bar a nonnuclear weapon state from acquiring naval nuclear propulsion technology.
—Ellen Nakashima and Christian Shepherd, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Feb. 2023
Saudi Arabia spends more on its military than any other nonnuclear power in the world.
—Craig Whitlock and Nate Jones, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Oct. 2022
The diplomatic mission can also stress that Tehran’s intransigence over nonnuclear issues ultimately torpedoed revival of the 2015 agreement.
—John Bolton, WSJ, 20 July 2022
But the extension of Israel’s campaign against Iran’s nonnuclear subversive activities onto Iranian soil is a new development and a significant escalation.
—Jonathan Spyer, WSJ, 15 June 2022
Biden, stepping back from a campaign vow, has embraced a longstanding U.S. approach of using the threat of a potential nuclear response to deter conventional and other nonnuclear dangers in addition to nuclear ones, U.S. officials said.
—WSJ, 25 Mar. 2022
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Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2022
The prospect of South Korea, a nonnuclear state, acquiring its own weapons threatens to destabilize nuclear disarmament efforts and inflame already high tensions with Pyongyang.
—Dasl Yoon, WSJ, 12 Jan. 2023
Such a group could bring together nuclear and nonnuclear technical and health professionals for education and training, and help to meet the preparedness, coordination, collaboration and staffing requirements necessary to respond to a large-scale nuclear crisis.
—Cham Dallas, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2020
Australia notes that the Non-Proliferation Treaty does not bar a nonnuclear weapon state from acquiring naval nuclear propulsion technology.
—Ellen Nakashima and Christian Shepherd, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Feb. 2023
Saudi Arabia spends more on its military than any other nonnuclear power in the world.
—Craig Whitlock and Nate Jones, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Oct. 2022
The diplomatic mission can also stress that Tehran’s intransigence over nonnuclear issues ultimately torpedoed revival of the 2015 agreement.
—John Bolton, WSJ, 20 July 2022
But the extension of Israel’s campaign against Iran’s nonnuclear subversive activities onto Iranian soil is a new development and a significant escalation.
—Jonathan Spyer, WSJ, 15 June 2022
Biden, stepping back from a campaign vow, has embraced a longstanding U.S. approach of using the threat of a potential nuclear response to deter conventional and other nonnuclear dangers in addition to nuclear ones, U.S. officials said.
—WSJ, 25 Mar. 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nonnuclear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1953, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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Cite this Entry
“Nonnuclear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonnuclear. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
nonnuclear
adjective
non·nu·cle·ar
(ˈ)nän-ˈn(y)ü-klē-ər
1
: not nuclear
nonnuclear weapons
2
: not having nuclear weapons
nonnuclear countries
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