adj.
Pronunciation: ˌ th ə r-m ō - ' nü-kl ē - ə r, - ' nyü-, ÷- ' n(y)ü-ky ə -l ə r
Function: adjective
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary
Date: 1938
1 : of, relating to, or employing transformations in the nuclei of atoms of low atomic weight (as hydrogen) that require a very high temperature for their inception (as in the hydrogen bomb or in the sun) < thermonuclear reaction> < thermonuclear weapon>
2 : of, utilizing, or relating to a thermonuclear bomb < thermonuclear war> <a thermonuclear attack>