atomic weapon

Other forms: atomic weapons

Definitions of atomic weapon

1. noun

   a weapon of mass destruction whose explosive power derives from a nuclear reaction
   synonyms: nuclear weapon

   types:

   A-bomb, atom bomb, atomic bomb, fission bomb, plutonium bomb

   a nuclear weapon in which enormous energy is released by nuclear fission (splitting the nuclei of a heavy element like uranium 235 or plutonium 239)

   H-bomb, fusion bomb, hydrogen bomb, thermonuclear bomb

   a nuclear weapon that releases atomic energy by union of light (hydrogen) nuclei at high temperatures to form helium

   megaton bomb

   a nuclear weapon with an explosive power equivalent to one million tons of TNT

   clean bomb

   an atom bomb leaving little or no radioactive contamination

   dirty bomb

   an atom bomb that leaves considerable radioactive contamination

   neutron bomb

   atom bomb that produces lethal neutrons with less blast

   type of:

   W.M.D., WMD, weapon of mass destruction

   a weapon that kills or injures civilian as well as military personnel (nuclear and chemical and biological weapons)