nuclear fusion

[noo-klee-er fyoo-zhuhn, nyoo-]

noun

1. fusion.

nuclear fusion

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: fusion. a reaction in which two nuclei combine to form a nucleus with the release of energy Compare nuclear fission See also thermonuclear reaction

fusion, nuclear

1. The combining of two small atomic nuclei to form a larger nucleus, sometimes with the release of energy. (Compare nuclear fission.)

Pronunciation Note

See nuclear ( def. ).

The use of fusion as a controllable energy source on Earth is still in its experimental stages.

The fusion of hydrogen into helium releases huge amounts of energy and is the main energy source of stars, including the sun.

Hydrogen bombs use the energy of fusion.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuclear fusion¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

"It's as complex as nuclear fusion physics, but most of us don't experience that day to day, and so we don't have to come up with a way to communicate that science to the public."

From BBC

The team in Bristol have come up with a whole new approach, using nuclear fusion rather than fission.

From BBC

They are created by nuclear fusion reactions in the sun, radioactive decay in nuclear reactors or the Earth's crust or in particle accelerator labs.

From Science Daily

That is when I read about the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s great success on nuclear fusion.

From Los Angeles Times

Among the experiments was an effort to see if nuclear fusion, the reaction which powers the sun, could be sparked on earth in a controlled setting.

From BBC