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atomic reactor

atomic reactor

1 4.3
A machine that splits atoms to make energy for electricity or research
  • noun
  • /əˈtɑːmɪk riˈæktər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : reactor atómico
  • The researchers conducted experiments at the atomic reactor to generate electricity in a sustainable way.

Examples

  • They'll probably blame the death on our atomic reactors.

  • In case the solar mirror fails, the space... station would be powered by an atomic reactor.

  • Anything, just so you could get this atomic reactor you need so badly and have no funds to purchase.

  • Why, he's developing the power of an atomic reactor.

  • That atomic reactor of yours, how's it working?

  • Instead of building atomic reactors, you could clean up every river, and instead of drilling for oil...

  • It functions like an atomic reactor.

  • The French are building an atomic reactor in northern Iraq... ...complete with enriched uranium.

  • Now ready for final surgical step of transplanting living vital organs now needed to complete the last act before use of atomic reactor to reproduce rebirth.

  • Coal consumption has risen 4.9 percent since Merkel announced a plan to start shutting the country's atomic reactors after last year's Fukushima disaster in Japan.

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Synonyms

reactor
vsatomic reactor
  • Specialized
248 6.3

A machine that uses a controlled nuclear reaction to make energy or new elements

is specifically about using fission to make electricity or to support research
nuclear reactor
vsatomic reactor
  • Specialized
42 4.8

A machine that makes heat and electricity by splitting atoms in a controlled way

focuses on fission for electricity or research rather than on process steps
pile
vsatomic reactor
  • Archaic
2 8.4

An early nuclear reactor used to create a controlled chain reaction

is used especially for electricity or research rather than just power production
chain reactor
vsatomic reactor
  • Specialized
6.3

A machine that makes nuclear energy by splitting atoms in a controlled chain reaction

focuses on fission used for electricity and research rather than reaction detail
atomic pile
vsatomic reactor
  • Archaic
7.7

An early device that makes energy by splitting atoms

is the modern general term for fission devices used for electricity or research

How Powerful

atomic reactor
  • Specialized
1 4.3
reactor
  • Specialized
248 6.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

atomic + reactor

The compound meaning is directly derivable from 'atomic' (relating to nuclear/atomic energy) and 'reactor' (a device that produces power); together they straightforwardly denote a device using atomic processes to generate energy. This noun–noun composition is a common, predictable pattern cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand the MWE.

Etymology

Atomic reactor comes from the image of a machine where tiny atoms are made to split and the reaction gives off 'energy', and reactor simply means a place where a reaction happens. So today atomic reactor means 'a device that uses split atoms to make energy', often for electricity or research.