nuclear reaction
noun
physics
: a process in which the nucleus of an atom is changed by being split apart or joined with the nucleus of another atom
Examples of nuclear reaction in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Uranium, the fuel used to make a nuclear reaction, is dominated by just four countries, including Russia.
—
Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2025
Understanding the fuel Larger nuclear power plants use fuel that is about 5% uranium-235, the element that splits in a nuclear reaction, releasing heat.
—Leonel Lagos, The Conversation, 3 Dec. 2025
The laboratories were thus limited to subcritical experiments, which would not generate a sustained nuclear reaction.
—Siegfried Hecker, Foreign Affairs, 26 Nov. 2025
Po’s research could help unlock the same nuclear reaction that powers the Sun—fusion energy—a potential game-changer for clean, limitless power.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2025
Around this core is wrapped a layer of beryllium, which reflects the neutrons emitted by the core to cause the nuclear reaction.
—David Szondy
september 10, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
The gun-type bomb — the most basic nuclear weapon — entails using conventional explosives to fire a subcritical piece of fissionable material into another piece to then trigger the explosive nuclear reaction.
—Brendan Rascius
july 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
The process is much different than fission, the nuclear reaction that powers current nuclear reactors and the atomic bomb.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 2 July 2025
Criticality occurs when enough neutrons hit enough other fissile uranium atoms to create a self-sustaining nuclear reaction.
—IEEE Spectrum, 1 June 2018
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2025
Understanding the fuel Larger nuclear power plants use fuel that is about 5% uranium-235, the element that splits in a nuclear reaction, releasing heat.
—Leonel Lagos, The Conversation, 3 Dec. 2025
The laboratories were thus limited to subcritical experiments, which would not generate a sustained nuclear reaction.
—Siegfried Hecker, Foreign Affairs, 26 Nov. 2025
Po’s research could help unlock the same nuclear reaction that powers the Sun—fusion energy—a potential game-changer for clean, limitless power.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2025
Around this core is wrapped a layer of beryllium, which reflects the neutrons emitted by the core to cause the nuclear reaction.
—David Szondy
september 10, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
The gun-type bomb — the most basic nuclear weapon — entails using conventional explosives to fire a subcritical piece of fissionable material into another piece to then trigger the explosive nuclear reaction.
—Brendan Rascius
july 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
The process is much different than fission, the nuclear reaction that powers current nuclear reactors and the atomic bomb.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 2 July 2025
Criticality occurs when enough neutrons hit enough other fissile uranium atoms to create a self-sustaining nuclear reaction.
—IEEE Spectrum, 1 June 2018
Cite this Entry
“Nuclear reaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nuclear%20reaction. Accessed 23 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share