yellowcake

noun

yel·​low·​cake ˈye-lō-ˌkāk 

ˈye-lə-

: partially refined uranium ore that is often used as an intermediate step in the production of nuclear weapons

Examples of yellowcake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Chinese geologists have surveyed potential uranium sites, and Beijing reportedly helped build a facility to extract yellowcake from ore. — semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2026

The project plans to produce yellowcake using in-situ recovery technology, which circulates an oxygen- and water-based solution through underground ore bodies instead of excavating large open pits. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said the Shahid Khondab Heavy Water Complex in Arak and the Ardakan yellowcake production plant in Yazd Province were targeted, IRNA reported. — Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026

To get there, technicians must chemically convert the yellowcake into uranium hexafluoride gas (a molecule containing one uranium atom and six fluorides) and feed it into centrifuges. — Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for yellowcake

• overtake
• rattlesnake
• shiitake
• undertake
• wapentake
• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik