atomic weapon
11
3.5
- noun
- /əˈtɑːmɪk ˈwɛpən/
:
arma nuclear
- The tactical commander decided at this point to use an atomic weapon in his assault on the enemy.
- use of atomic weapon
During our Manhattan Project where we were developing our atomic weapon, the Russians penetrated.
- During our Manhattan Project where we were developing our atomic weapon, the Russians penetrated.
- Well it's the three ways atomic weapons work.
- By conquest and by possible annihilation by atomic weapons if Iran ever gets them and wants to use them.
- Newtonian physics got us to the moon, but we needed Einstein's physics in order to create GPS, nuclear energy, atomic weapons, etcetera.
- I would think that the Nazis with atomic weapons with no compunctions about deploying them would rank up there as even worse than the horrors that we saw.
- Putin is loser with atomic weapons.
Examples
-
Although Tel Aviv officially denies it, Israel is believed to have atomic weapons.
Academic text (2001) -
On March 15, 1955, Dulles announced to the press that the United States was seriously considering using atomic weapons to resolve the Quemoy-Matsu dispute.
Academic text (2005) -
- No, atomic weapons are out of the question in any built up area.
-
In fact, despite our best efforts, humans never again used atomic weapons in war.
Fiction book (1999) -
The United States, which had broken the Japanese secret code, knew of this but was determined to use its atomic weapons anyway.
Academic text (2005) -
During this period, scientific matters relating to atomic weapons, their numbers and strengths, and the testing of them were of pressing national importance.
Academic text (2004) -
The starkest example of the terror bombing of civilians is, of course, the use of atomic weapons against two cities in Japan.
Academic text (2005) -
On August 6, 1945, this Martin-built B-29-45-MO dropped the first atomic weapon used in combat on Hiroshima, Japan.
Blog text (20) -
If atomic weapons are to be added to the arsenals of a warring world, then the day will come when people will curse the name of Los Alamos.
-
The military has confirmed that they possess an atomic weapon capable of catastrophic destruction.
Synonyms
634
3.5
A very powerful bomb that uses energy from splitting or joining atoms
148
7.6
A very powerful bomb that uses nuclear energy
66
2.3
A very powerful weapon that splits atoms to make a huge explosion and destroy large areas
32
3.0
A very powerful weapon that splits atoms to release huge energy
16
3.0
A very powerful weapon that splits atoms to cause a huge explosion
How Destructive
- Specialized
1
6.9
11
3.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'atomic' (relating to nuclear/atomic energy) with 'weapon' (an instrument for harm), yielding a weapon whose destructive force comes from atomic/nuclear reactions. This is a straightforward compositional noun phrase following common cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should understand the meaning.
Etymology
Atomic weapon comes from the idea that huge power is hidden inside the tiny atom. People found that by 'splitting' or 'joining' atoms you could release a sudden, huge blast, so atomic weapon means a weapon with very great destructive power.