nuclear reactor

[noo-klee-er ree-ak-ter, nyoo-] / ˈnu kli ər riˈæk tər, ˈnyu- /

NOUN

atomic reactor

Synonyms

STRONGEST

reactor

WEAK

atomic furnace atomic pile atomic power plant atomic reactor breeder reactor chain reactor core reactor fast breeder reactor neutron factory nuclear furnace nuclear power plant pile plutonium reactor reactor pile thermonuclear reactor uranium reactor

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The strikes included attacks very close to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear reactor.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

These grants, the second announced so far, are targeted at small nuclear reactor projects, and the government will pay for 50%.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

A gigawatt is roughly equivalent to the power generated by a nuclear reactor.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

She sat alongside a nuclear reactor during a flight with Energy Secretary Chris Wright; she still isn’t quite sure she understands what a nuclear reactor is.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

When the milk in Oregon is tainted by the radiation eruption of a Soviet nuclear reactor, we are forced to see our interdependence.

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals