atomic bomb

noun

1

: a bomb whose violent explosive power is due to the sudden release of energy resulting from the splitting of nuclei of a heavy chemical element (such as plutonium or uranium) by neutrons in a very rapid chain reaction

called also atom bomb

2

: a nuclear weapon (such as a hydrogen bomb)

Examples of atomic bomb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It has been estimated that the impact would have released energy over a billion times higher than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 15 Aug. 2024

In 1945: The Manhattan Project successfully detonated the world’s first atomic bomb at Alamogordo, New Mexico. —Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 16 July 2024

Visiting Miko at home, Kristofer starts to piece together her family’s story: Mr. Takahashi narrowly escaped death when the atomic bomb landed on Hiroshima in 1945, killing 100,000 people in nine seconds. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 12 July 2024

Though scientists were not in consensus, many of them wanted the United States to be transparent with other countries about its nuclear capabilities — the original hope was that the mere demonstration of an atomic bomb, like the test in the Nevada desert, would persuade our enemies to surrender. —Prudence Peiffer, Washington Post, 28 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

atomic bomb

noun

1

: a bomb whose violent explosive power is due to the sudden release of energy resulting from the splitting of nuclei of a heavy chemical element (as plutonium or uranium) by neutrons

called also atom bomb

2

: hydrogen bomb