NUCLEAR FISSION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does nuclear fission mean? 

• NUCLEAR FISSION (noun)
  The noun NUCLEAR FISSION has 1 sense:

1. a nuclear reaction in which a massive nucleus splits into smaller nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy

  Familiarity information: NUCLEAR FISSION used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NUCLEAR FISSION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A nuclear reaction in which a massive nucleus splits into smaller nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

fission; nuclear fission

Hypernyms ("nuclear fission" is a kind of...):

nuclear reaction ((physics) a process that alters the energy or structure or composition of atomic nuclei)

 Context examples 

Cesium Cs 137 is prevalent due to its spontaneous production, which occurs as a result of nuclear fission of other radioactive materials, such as uranium and plutonium.

(Cesium Cs 137, NCI Thesaurus)