nu‧cle‧ar W2 AC / njukliə $ nukliər / 形容词 [通常用于名词前]

1 relating to or involving the nucleus (= central part ) of an atom, or the energy produced when the nucleus of an atom is either split or joined with the nucleus of another atom :

France’s reliance on nuclear energy

a nuclear power station

a nuclear-powered submarine

2 relating to or involving the use of weapons that use nuclear energy → anti-nuclear , conventional

nuclear bomb/weapon/missile etc

the threat of nuclear attack

concern about the country’s nuclear weapons program

With the collapse of the former Soviet Union, the possibility of a nuclear holocaust (= a nuclear war that destroys much of the Earth ) was greatly reduced.

a nuclear testing area