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

Iranian officials have increasingly suggested Tehran could pursue an atomic bomb. —Stephanie Liechtenstein The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 27 Feb. 2025

While at shrinking Lake Mead a few gangster cadavers showed up in the mud, the Salton Sea contains crashed planes and practice bombs, the targets simulations during the 1940s for the real atomic bombs dropped on Japan. —Dennis Hinkamp, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2025

Back then, Americans were accustomed to counting down rocket launches and atomic bomb blast tests. —Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 31 Dec. 2024

Jennifer Conklin is the co-owner of South Rock Road LLC, the company that now owns the atomic bomb shelter. —Jack Randall, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for atomic bomb

• microbiome
• aplomb
• balaam
• cocom
• embalm
• islam
• pogrom
• salaam
• sitcom
• balm
• bom
• calm

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