nuclear weapon
Loading your saved state.
nuclear weapon
A weapon whose enormous destructive power is based on the release of energy through nuclear fission or nuclear fusion.
Der Besitz von Atomwaffen ist nur wenigen Staaten gestattet.
The possession of nuclear weapons is permitted only to a few states.
The word is a simple compound of 'das Atom' (atom) and 'die Waffe' (weapon). It therefore literally refers to a weapon based on the technology of atoms.
Die erste Atomwaffe wurde 1945 entwickelt.
The first nuclear weapon was developed in 1945.
Certain verbs are often used in connection with nuclear weapons: Atomwaffen besitzen (to possess nuclear weapons), entwickeln (to develop), testen (to test), einsetzen (to use), or mit ihnen drohen (to threaten with them).
Mehrere Länder haben Verträge unterzeichnet, um keine Atomwaffen zu entwickeln.
Several countries have signed treaties not to develop nuclear weapons.
The element 'Atom-' is also used in other words related to nuclear energy. Examples include 'die Atommacht' (a country with nuclear weapons), 'die Atomenergie' (nuclear energy), or 'das Atomkraftwerk' (nuclear power plant).
Nur wenige Staaten gelten offiziell als Atommacht.
Only a few states are officially considered nuclear powers.
atomic bomb
'die Atomwaffe' and 'die Atombombe' both refer to extremely destructive weapons whose power comes from nuclear reactions. 'Atomwaffe' is the more general term for this type of weapon. 'Atombombe' is more specific and means a bomb, so it is a particular form of nuclear weapon. The words can be confused because an atomic bomb is a nuclear weapon. But not every nuclear weapon has to be described with the word 'Bombe'. In political or general texts, 'Atomwaffe' is often more appropriate; when talking about a specific bomb, you say 'Atombombe'.
Viele Staaten fordern, dass keine Atomwaffen mehr gebaut werden.
Many states are demanding that no more nuclear weapons be built.
Im Geschichtsunterricht sprachen wir über den Einsatz der Atombombe.
In history class, we talked about the use of the atomic bomb.