Word
thermonuclear
Phoneticsther·monu·cle·ar
US/ˌθɝmoʊˈnukɫiɝ/
UK/θˈɜːmənjˌuːkliə/
Definition
adj. relating to nuclear reactions that need extreme heat to release a huge amount of energy. You see it mostly in talk about powerful hydrogen bombs.
adj. relating to nuclear fusion reactions that occur at extremely high temperatures, releasing vast amounts of energy. Typically describes hydrogen bombs and stellar processes where light nuclei fuse.
Examples
“This plant studies thermonuclear reactions for clean energy.”
“Engineers test thermonuclear designs to understand how fusion releases so much energy.”
“Physicists describe thermonuclear fusion in stars as a delicate balance where gravity confines plasma long enough for light nuclei to merge and sustain enormous energy output.”
Examples
simple
“This plant studies thermonuclear reactions for clean energy.”
contextual
“Engineers test thermonuclear designs to understand how fusion releases so much energy.”
complex
“Physicists describe thermonuclear fusion in stars as a delicate balance where gravity confines plasma long enough for light nuclei to merge and sustain enormous energy output.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “thermonuclear” in context.
Verb
01. go thermonuclear
“Officials feared the border clash could go thermonuclear within days.”
verb + adj
Adjective
02. fully thermonuclear
“The second stage of the weapon was fully thermonuclear in design.”
adv + adj
03. purely thermonuclear
“Researchers questioned whether the explosion was purely thermonuclear.”
adv + adj
Noun
04. thermonuclear arsenal
“Both superpowers expanded their thermonuclear arsenal during the Cold War.”
adj + noun
05. thermonuclear bomb
“The hydrogen bomb was the first true thermonuclear bomb ever tested.”
adj + noun
06. thermonuclear device
“Engineers detonated a thermonuclear device at a remote test site.”
adj + noun
07. thermonuclear explosion
“A thermonuclear explosion releases energy equal to millions of tons of TNT.”
adj + noun
08. thermonuclear fusion
“Stars produce energy through sustained thermonuclear fusion in their cores.”
adj + noun
09. detonate a thermonuclear device
“The regime threatened to detonate a thermonuclear device underground.”
10. full-scale thermonuclear war
“A full-scale thermonuclear war would cause catastrophic global cooling.”
11. global thermonuclear conflict
“Diplomats worked urgently to prevent a global thermonuclear conflict.”
12. thermonuclear fusion reaction
“Scientists aim to replicate the thermonuclear fusion reaction of stars.”
Real-World Examples
“When it’s finally fully switched on in 2035, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor will be the largest device of its kind ever built, and the flag-bearer for nuclear fusion.” “The explosive power of thermonuclear bombs is so great in the 21st Century that they pose an existential risk of triggering a nuclear winter, caused by smoke from firestorms blocking sunlight for years.” Etymology
From thermo- + nuclear.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/thermonuclear