nuclear power
"The city decided to switch its entire energy grid to nuclear power after years of relying on coal plants."
In plain English: A nuclear is an atom's core that contains protons and neutrons.
"The nuclear weapon was never used during the war."
Usage: Use "nuclear" as a noun only when referring to nuclear power or energy, such as in the phrase "nuclear energy." In all other contexts, use it strictly as an adjective describing something related to an atomic nucleus or nuclear weapons.
of or relating to or constituting the nucleus of an atom
"nuclear physics"
"nuclear fission"
"nuclear forces"
of or relating to or constituting the nucleus of a cell
"nuclear membrane"
"nuclear division"
constituting or like a nucleus
"annexation of the suburban fringe by the nuclear metropolis"
"the nuclear core of the congregation"
Pertaining to the nucleus of an atom.
"Scientists are studying how nuclear reactions within atoms release massive amounts of energy."
In plain English: Nuclear means relating to the nucleus of an atom, which is where energy from nuclear power comes from.
"The nuclear family consists of parents and their children living together."
Usage: In everyday conversation, use nuclear to describe weapons, power plants, or family conflicts involving extreme intensity or destruction. Do not use it to refer to atomic structure unless discussing science specifically.
The word "nuclear" comes from the Latin nucleus, which originally meant a small nut or kernel. It entered English through scientific terminology to describe anything related to this central seed-like core, eventually taking on its modern meaning regarding the center of an atom.