nucleate
verb
nu·cle·ate
ˈnü-klē-ˌāt 
ˈnyü-
nucleated; nucleating
2
: to act as a nucleus for
3
: to supply nuclei to
Examples of nucleate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The other option is to enhance ALD by using a very thin oxidized layer, such as silicon oxide, to help nucleate the growth of the ALD layer.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 21 Jan. 2020
The issue about how many carbon dioxide bubbles are likely to nucleate in a glass of champagne (or bubbly) is of concern for sommeliers, wine journalists, experienced tasters, and any open minded physical chemist wondering about complex phenomena at play in a glass of bubbly.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 13 Jan. 2015
If another bubble universe just happened to nucleate close to ours, then there’s a small chance that our universes may have briefly intersected before being permanently driven away from each other.
—Popular Mechanics, 7 Apr. 2023
Rough spots inside a glass can also help to nucleate bubbles; some glassmakers etch shapes inside glasses to help this process along.
—Nicola Jones, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Dec. 2021
These boundaries often contain areas of enhanced wind shear (change in wind direction), leading to pockets of spin that can nucleate a tornado within stronger storm cells.
—Washington Post, 23 Dec. 2020
At the Plate The study of these zinc oxide plates and how the plates nucleate and grow as secondary structures on zinc oxide surfaces contributes toward America’s goal of a clean, abundant and secure energy future.
—Marissa Fessenden, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2017
Ozone forms from nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons through atmospheric chemical reactions that speed up with heat, while particulates nucleate around liquid droplets and can penetrate deeply into the lungs.
—Jeffrey Marlow, WIRED, 19 Nov. 2014
At the Plate
The study of these zinc oxide plates and how the plates nucleate and grow as secondary structures on zinc oxide surfaces contributes toward America’s goal of a clean, abundant and secure energy future.
—Marissa Fessenden, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2017
See More
IEEE Spectrum, 21 Jan. 2020
The issue about how many carbon dioxide bubbles are likely to nucleate in a glass of champagne (or bubbly) is of concern for sommeliers, wine journalists, experienced tasters, and any open minded physical chemist wondering about complex phenomena at play in a glass of bubbly.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 13 Jan. 2015
If another bubble universe just happened to nucleate close to ours, then there’s a small chance that our universes may have briefly intersected before being permanently driven away from each other.
—Popular Mechanics, 7 Apr. 2023
Rough spots inside a glass can also help to nucleate bubbles; some glassmakers etch shapes inside glasses to help this process along.
—Nicola Jones, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Dec. 2021
These boundaries often contain areas of enhanced wind shear (change in wind direction), leading to pockets of spin that can nucleate a tornado within stronger storm cells.
—Washington Post, 23 Dec. 2020
At the Plate The study of these zinc oxide plates and how the plates nucleate and grow as secondary structures on zinc oxide surfaces contributes toward America’s goal of a clean, abundant and secure energy future.
—Marissa Fessenden, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2017
Ozone forms from nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons through atmospheric chemical reactions that speed up with heat, while particulates nucleate around liquid droplets and can penetrate deeply into the lungs.
—Jeffrey Marlow, WIRED, 19 Nov. 2014
At the Plate
The study of these zinc oxide plates and how the plates nucleate and grow as secondary structures on zinc oxide surfaces contributes toward America’s goal of a clean, abundant and secure energy future.
—Marissa Fessenden, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2017
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nucleate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Late Latin nucleatus, past participle of nucleare to become stony, from Latin nucleus
First Known Use
1856, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near nucleate
Cite this Entry
“Nucleate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nucleate. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
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Medical Definition
nucleate
verb
nu·cle·ate
ˈn(y)ü-klē-ˌāt
nucleated; nucleating
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