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

Seventy years earlier, the Enola Gay — the B-29 super fortress that dropped an atomic bomb on Japan — was built inside these walls. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024

Ovidio Gonzalez | Getty Images News | Getty Images The Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 was last week awarded to Japanese atomic bomb survivor organization Nihon Hidankyo, in recognition of its efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons. —Jenni Reid, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2024

World & Nation The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to Japanese group of atomic bomb survivors Oct. 11, 2024 Acemoglu said the research honored by the prize underscores the value of democratic institutions. —Daniel Niemann, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024

The organization is made up of Hibakusha, also known as survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs attack by the U.S. that killed some 120,000 people in August 1945. —Solcyré Burga, TIME, 11 Oct. 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