atomic bomb
atomic bomb
Pronunciation
Atomic bomb
/əˈtɒmɪk bɒm/
a-: /ə/ (schwa sound)
tom-: /tɒm/ (t + short o + m)
ic: /ɪk/ (short i + k)
bomb: /bɒm/ (b + short o + m)
Word Form Variations
Singular: atomic bomb
Plural: atomic bombs
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Atomic bomb
A powerful explosive weapon that derives its destructive force from nuclear fission reactions, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the form of blast, heat, and radiation. Its use is associated with catastrophic destruction and long-term environmental and health consequences.
Synonyms: A-bomb, nuclear weapon, nuke (informal)
Antonyms: Conventional weapon, defensive weapon (in the context of not being an offensive, mass-destruction weapon)
(Figurative) An event, idea, or situation with potentially devastating or highly significant consequences.
Synonyms: Catastrophe, disaster, bombshell, game-changer
Antonyms: Triviality, minor issue, non-event
Examples of Use
Books:
"J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientific director of the Manhattan Project, famously quoted the Bhagavad Gita upon witnessing the first successful test of an atomic bomb: 'Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.'" (Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, 2005)
"The novel explores the psychological impact on survivors of the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki." (John Hersey, Hiroshima, 1946)
Newspapers:
"Concerns about the proliferation of atomic bombs continue to dominate international disarmament talks." (The New York Times, October 2023)
"Historians still debate the necessity of dropping the atomic bomb to end World War II." (The Guardian, August 2024)
Online Publications:
"New research suggests the environmental fallout from even a limited exchange of atomic bombs would have catastrophic global consequences." (Scientific American, January 2025)
"A comprehensive timeline of the development and testing of the atomic bomb is available on the National Archives website." (National Archives, May 2023)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the movie Oppenheimer, a significant portion of the narrative focuses on the creation and testing of the first atomic bomb. (Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer, 2023)
Video Game: "The popular video game Fallout depicts a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by the aftermath of an atomic bomb war." (Bethesda Game Studios, Fallout series, various releases)
Television Series: "The miniseries Chernobyl vividly portrays the devastating effects of a nuclear disaster, drawing parallels to the destructive potential of an atomic bomb." (HBO, Chernobyl, 2019)
Music: The song "Russians" by Sting includes the lyric, "There's no such thing as a winnable war / It's a lie we don't believe anymore / Russians love their children too," referencing the threat of atomic bomb warfare. (Sting, The Dream of the Blue Turtles, 1985)
General Public Discourse:
"The discovery of nuclear fission paved the way for the creation of the atomic bomb."
"Many people fear the possibility of an atomic bomb falling into the wrong hands."
"The phrase 'like an atomic bomb' is often used to describe something with immense and sudden impact, positive or negative."
10 Famous Quotes Using Atomic Bomb
"Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." (J. Robert Oppenheimer, on witnessing the first successful test of the atomic bomb, July 1945)
"I made one great mistake in my life, when I signed a letter to President Roosevelt recommending that atomic bombs be made." (Albert Einstein, recounted by Linus Pauling, November 1954)
"The Japanese began the war from the air at Pearl Harbor. They have been repaid many fold. And the end is not yet. With this bomb we have now added a new and revolutionary increase in destruction... It is an atomic bomb." (Harry S. Truman, announcing the use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, August 1945)
"It is not enough to take this weapon out of the hands of soldiers. It must be put into the hands of those who will know how to strip its military casing and adapt it to the arts of peace." (Dwight D. Eisenhower, Address before the General Assembly of the United Nations, December 1953)
"Atomic bombs today are more than twenty-five times as powerful as the weapon with which the atomic age dawned, while the hydrogen weapons are in the ranges of millions of tons of TNT equivalent." (Dwight D. Eisenhower, "Atoms for Peace" speech, December 1953)
"Bombs do not choose. They will hit everything." (Nikita Khrushchev)
"I would have agreed, in the event of the invasion you are talking about, with the use of tactical nuclear weapons." (Fidel Castro, referring to nuclear weapons as a broader category including the atomic bomb, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962)
"What will be the ultimate value of having established social justice in a context where all people, Negro and White, are merely free to face destruction by strontium 90 or atomic war?" (Martin Luther King Jr., 1959)
"A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. The only value in our two nations possessing nuclear weapons is to make sure they will never be used. But then would it not be better to do away with them entirely?" (Ronald Reagan, State of the Union, 1984 – while "nuclear weapons" is used, it encompasses the atomic bomb).
"The nuclear arms race is like two sworn enemies standing waist deep in gasoline, one with three matches, the other with five." (Carl Sagan – while not explicitly saying "atomic bomb," the context of "nuclear arms race" implies its use).
Etymology
The word "atomic bomb" has an interesting origin, combining two key ideas.
First, let's look at "atomic." This part comes from the word "atom," which has its roots in ancient Greek. The Greek word is "atomos", meaning "uncuttable" or "indivisible." The ancient Greek philosopher Democritus believed that matter was made up of tiny, fundamental particles that couldn't be broken down any further, and he called these particles atomos. So, for a very long time, an "atom" was understood to be the smallest, most basic building block of matter.
Now for "bomb." This word comes from the Latin word "bombus", which means a "deep, hollow sound" or "buzzing." Over time, it evolved to refer to an explosive device that makes a loud noise when it detonates.
When scientists discovered in the early 20th century that atoms weren't actually "uncuttable" but could be split, releasing immense amounts of energy, the idea of creating a weapon based on this principle emerged.
The term "atomic bomb" itself was first used to describe this new type of weapon that derived its power from splitting atoms. While the scientific principles were being explored in the 1930s and early 1940s, the term came into widespread public use and understanding during World War II, particularly around July and August of 1945, when the first atomic bomb was tested and then used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. At this point, the meaning was clearly understood as a devastating explosive weapon using nuclear fission.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Atomic Bomb
Drop the atomic bomb: To unleash something with devastating impact; to reveal a piece of information that has explosive consequences.
Like an atomic bomb went off: Describes a situation of extreme chaos, destruction, or sudden, overwhelming impact.
An atomic bomb of an idea: An extremely powerful, revolutionary, or potentially disruptive idea.
Playing with atomic bombs: Engaging in a highly dangerous or risky activity.
The atomic bomb moment: A pivotal, world-changing moment, often referring to a dramatic revelation or event.
A nuclear option: (Using a synonym) Referring to the most extreme or drastic course of action available.
Ground zero of the atomic bomb: The precise point of impact or origin of a devastating event (often used figuratively for the center of a crisis).
To defuse the atomic bomb: To prevent a potentially catastrophic situation from occurring.
An atomic secret: A highly guarded or critically important piece of information.
Living under the atomic cloud: A phrase referring to the ongoing threat or psychological burden of nuclear weapons.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of atomic bomb from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
