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Glite Dictionary
weapons plutonium

weapons plutonium

9.2
Plutonium taken from old nuclear bombs that can be used to make new weapons
  • noun
  • /ˈwɛpənz pluˈtoʊniəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : plutonio de armas
  • We need to securely store the recovered weapons plutonium to ensure it cannot be misused.
  • surplus weapons plutonium

Examples

  • We are working with Russia to end the production of plutonium and to eliminate enough weapons plutonium for thousands of weapons.

    Academic text (2004)

  • The treaty aims to reduce the amount of weapons plutonium held by nuclear states.

  • Experts are concerned about the potential risks associated with excess weapons plutonium in storage.

Synonyms

Pu
vsweapons plutonium
  • Specialized
4 9.8

A chemical symbol for plutonium, a radioactive metal used for nuclear fuel and weapons

is the actual material recovered from dismantled nuclear devices not the symbol name
weapons-grade plutonium
vsweapons plutonium
  • Specialized
3 9.5

A very pure form of the radioactive metal plutonium used to make nuclear weapons

is taken from dismantled nuclear devices rather than newly refined for purity
plutonium-239
vsweapons plutonium
  • Specialized
8.1

A radioactive metal used as fuel in nuclear reactors and to make nuclear weapons

focuses on material taken from dismantled nuclear devices rather than the isotope itself

How Suitable

weapons-grade plutonium
  • Specialized
3 9.5
weapons plutonium
  • Specialized
9.2

Surface Forms

weapons plutonium singular
weapons plutoniums plural

Morphology

weapon + plutonium

The meaning 'plutonium suitable for or associated with weapons' is directly inferable from combining 'weapons' (relating to arms) with 'plutonium' (the radioactive element). This is a straightforward compositional noun phrase following common noun-noun naming patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand the intended sense.

Etymology

Weapons plutonium comes from the plain image of plutonium taken from weapons when a nuclear bomb is taken apart, leaving material that is still good for bombs. So the term means plutonium that is 'suitable for use in weapons'.