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

Under this contract, the developer will deploy BWRX-300 small modular reactors, designating the Ohio installation as one of the earliest commercial small modular reactor initiatives in the United States. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 21 June 2026

Nano Nuclear Energy stock is poised to benefit as the nuclear power provider takes steps to commercialize its micro-modular reactor in the midst of the artificial intelligence power boom, according to Roth Capital Partners. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 19 June 2026

Before the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011, Japan had 54 reactors providing 30% of its electricity. —Clay Chandler, semafor.com, 19 June 2026

The inner walls of the reactor will be shielded by tungsten, which will limit erosion by the conditions. —ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026

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

• acter
• actor
• factor
• tractor
• attractor
• cofactor
• compactor
• contactor
• contractor
• distractor
• extractor
• impactor

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)