-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
hydrogen bomb
noun
: a bomb whose violent explosive power is due to the sudden release of atomic energy resulting from the fusion of light nuclei (as of hydrogen atoms) at very high temperature and pressure to form helium nuclei
Examples of hydrogen bomb in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 1952, the United States vaporized an entire island in the Pacific’s Enewetak Atoll with a hydrogen bomb.
—Salama Udaipurwala, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024
In 1952: The United States tested the first hydrogen bomb on the Eniwetok atoll in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in a blast equivalent to 10.4 megatons of TNT, hundreds of times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
—Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 2 Nov. 2024
The Castle Bravo hydrogen bomb test on March 1, 1954, produced an explosion equivalent to 15 megatons of TNT, more than 2.5 times what scientists had expected.
—Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024
The character was born of the paranoia inspired by the 1954 hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll, and continues to act as a potent vehicle for metaphorical horror in hit contemporary renditions like Godzilla Minus One.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hydrogen bomb
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1947, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near hydrogen bomb
Cite this Entry
“Hydrogen bomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrogen%20bomb. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
hydrogen bomb
noun
: a bomb whose violent explosive power is due to the sudden release of atomic energy when hydrogen nuclei unite
More from Merriam-Webster on hydrogen bomb
Nglish: Translation of hydrogen bomb for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hydrogen bomb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share