nuclear weapon

weapon that destroys using nuclear fission or fusion

weapon which makes use of nuclear energy so as to produce awesome repulsion and deadly radiation

A nuclear weapon derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions of fusion or fission. As a result, even a nuclear weapon with a small yield is significantly more powerful than the largest conventional explosives, and a single weapon is capable of destroying an entire city.In the history of warfare, two nuclear weapons have been detonated — both by the United States, during the closing days of World War II. The first event occurred on the morning of 6 August 1945, when the United States dropped a uranium gun-type device code-named "Little Boy" on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The second event occurred three days later when the United States dropped a plutonium implosion-type device code-named "Fat Man" on the city of Nagasaki. These bombings resulted in the immediate deaths of around 120,000 people and even more over time because of injuries sustained and long-term radiation. The use of these weapons was and remains controversial. (See Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki for a full discussion).
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Noun
1. a weapon of mass destruction whose explosive power derives from a nuclear reaction
(hypernym) weapon of mass destruction, WMD, W.M.D.
(hyponym) atom bomb, atomic bomb, A-bomb, fission bomb, plutonium bomb
(part-meronym) atomic warhead, nuclear warhead, thermonuclear warhead, nuke

A complete assembly (i.e. implosion type, gun type, or thermonuclear type), in its intended ultimate configuration which, upon completion of the prescribed arming, fusing and firing sequence, is capable of producing the intended nuclear reaction and release of energy. Also called "atomic weapon". 1/11/83

Voir arme nucléaire. 1/2/73

Munition (c'est-à-dire type à implosion, thermonucléaire ou canon) qui dans sa configuration finale, après accomplissement de la séquence armement allumage-explosion, est capable de produire la réaction nucléaire et la libération d'énergie désirées. Aussi appelé "arme atomique". 1/11/83