fission

1 synonym and 1 antonym for fission, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The splitting of an atomic nucleus into smaller pieces, releasing large amounts of energy.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

nuclear fission

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The splitting of an atomic nucleus into smaller pieces, releasing large amounts of energy.

“Nuclear power plants generate electricity through controlled fission.”

nuclear fission

2. noun

The splitting of a single cell or item into two separate parts.

“The bacterium reproduces by fission, dividing into two identical cells.”

Opposites

fusion

How to use fission

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

nuclear fission binary fission fission reactor

Etymology

From Latin fissio, "the act of splitting," from findere, "to split" — the same root behind "fissure."

Full origin of fission →

Frequently asked questions

What does “fission” mean?

The word “fission” means the splitting of an atomic nucleus into smaller pieces, releasing large amounts of energy. In plain terms, splitting one thing into two, especially an atom's nucleus (releasing energy) or a cell (reproducing).

How do you pronounce “fission”?

“Fission” is pronounced FIH-shuhn (/ˈfɪʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “fission” in a sentence?

Here is “fission” used in a sentence: “Nuclear power plants generate electricity through controlled fission.”

What part of speech is “fission”?

“Fission” is a noun.

Where does the word “fission” come from?

The word “fission” comes from Latin. From Latin fissio, "the act of splitting," from findere, "to split" — the same root behind "fissure.".

Is “fission” a common word?

“Fission” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “fission” have?

“Fission” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the splitting of an atomic nucleus into smaller pieces, releasing large amounts of energy.

Related words

nucleomitophobia

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Nearby words

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