Nuclear Weapons Glossary

adjective capable of being split or divided, especially by nuclear fission

• Uranium-235 is a fissile material that can sustain a nuclear chain reaction.
• I heard that fissile materials are used in nuclear power plants.
• Don't mess around with fissile stuff, it's dangerous.
• The tension in the room was like a fissile material waiting to explode.

noun the action of dividing or splitting something into two or more parts

verb to undergo fission, especially nuclear fission

• Nuclear fission is a process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei.
• The scientists are studying the process of fission in the lab.
• I heard that fission can create a lot of energy when done properly.
• The breakup of the band was like a fission, causing a lot of tension and division among the members.

noun A bomber is a type of aircraft designed to carry and drop bombs on a target.

article The article 'a' is an indefinite article used before a noun when the noun is not specific or known.

• The military deployed a bomber to carry out strategic airstrikes.
• Did you see that a-bomber flying over the city earlier?
• The a-bomber dropped some serious payload on the enemy.
• Her words were like a-bombers, destroying any chance of reconciliation.