atomic bomb

noun

1
: a bomb whose violent explosive power is due to the sudden release of energy resulting from the splitting of nuclei of a heavy chemical element (such as plutonium or uranium) by neutrons in a very rapid chain reaction

called also atom bomb

2
: a nuclear weapon (such as a hydrogen bomb)

Examples of atomic bomb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Then, on August 6, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, obliterating nearly five square miles of the city. — James M. Scott, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 The atomic bomb in the crate that a helicopter carefully deposits in Carol’s driveway in the last scene? — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Eighty-one years ago Thursday, an atomic bomb exploded over Japan. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Later that day the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, killing 40,000 people. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atomic bomb

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of atomic bomb was in 1914

Rhymes for atomic bomb

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Browse Nearby Words

atomic absorption spectroscopy
atomic bomb
atomic clock
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Cite this Entry

“Atomic bomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomic%20bomb. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

atomic bomb

noun
1
: a bomb whose violent explosive power is due to the sudden release of energy resulting from the splitting of nuclei of a heavy chemical element (as plutonium or uranium) by neutrons

called also atom bomb

2
: hydrogen bomb

More from Merriam-Webster on atomic bomb

Nglish: Translation of atomic bomb for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atomic bomb

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