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
That explosion, caused by friction as the meteor hurtled through the atmosphere, released 30 times more energy than the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima, according to NASA.
—
Denise Chow, NBC news, 18 May 2026
As previously reported, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius released thermal energy roughly equivalent to 100,000 times the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II, spewing molten rock, pumice, and hot ash over the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in particular.
—ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
In 2023, Oppenheimer, his three-hour biopic about a physicist in existential crisis over the atomic bomb, grossed nearly $1 billion and won seven Oscars.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 12 May 2026
The Wende Museum in Culver City opened its doors in 2017 inside a former 1949 atomic bomb shelter.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for atomic bomb
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Denise Chow, NBC news, 18 May 2026
As previously reported, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius released thermal energy roughly equivalent to 100,000 times the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II, spewing molten rock, pumice, and hot ash over the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in particular.
—ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
In 2023, Oppenheimer, his three-hour biopic about a physicist in existential crisis over the atomic bomb, grossed nearly $1 billion and won seven Oscars.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 12 May 2026
The Wende Museum in Culver City opened its doors in 2017 inside a former 1949 atomic bomb shelter.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for atomic bomb
Cite this Entry
“Atomic bomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomic%20bomb. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
