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

Depending on the reactor’s power, its flux will vary dramatically, reaching hundreds of millions of particles per square centimetre per second. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025

The county accuses the PUC of ignoring testimony and a report promoting natural gas or small nuclear power reactors as ways to produce cleaner energy while maintaining the levels of jobs and tax revenue that coal has generated. —Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 11 Sep. 2025

The reactor will help supply two Google data centers as well as households in the service area. —Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Turn to the boron side and the neutrons are absorbed, shutting down the reactor. —David Szondy september 10, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 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)