fission
noun · verb
Simple meaning
The process whereby one item splits to become two.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
fishuhnSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈfɪʃən
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
The process whereby one item splits to become two.
nuclear physics
Nuclear fission: The process of splitting the nucleus of an atom into smaller particles.
nuclear physics
A nuclear reaction in which a massive nucleus splits into smaller nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy
biology
The process by which a bacterium splits to form two daughter cells.
verb
transitive
To cause to undergo fission.
Word at a Glance
- Frequency
- Uncommon
- Typical Use
- Varies by meaning
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Common Patterns and Combinations
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Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
A nuclear weapon in which enormous energy is released by nuclear fission (splitting the nuclei of a heavy element like uranium 235 or plutonium 239).
A nuclear reaction in which a massive nucleus splits into smaller nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Synonyms
Sense: process whereby one item splits to become two
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