noun
Uncommon
fission
FIH-shuhn
Fission (noun) means the splitting of an atomic nucleus into smaller pieces, releasing large amounts of energy. Example: “Nuclear power plants generate electricity through controlled fission.”
noun
1
The splitting of an atomic nucleus into smaller pieces, releasing large amounts of energy.
"Nuclear power plants generate electricity through controlled fission."
"The bomb worked by triggering rapid nuclear fission."
2
The splitting of a single cell or item into two separate parts.
"The bacterium reproduces by fission, dividing into two identical cells."
How to use fission
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSplitting one thing into two, especially an atom's nucleus (releasing energy) or a cell (reproducing).
Common mistake
Don't confuse with fusion, which is the opposite process — combining nuclei rather than splitting them.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
nuclear fission
binary fission
fission reactor
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Word forms
- Plural
- fissions
- Third person singular
- fissions
- Past tense
- fissioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Nuclear power plants generate electricity through controlled _____.
Etymology
From Latin fissio, "the act of splitting," from findere, "to split" — the same root behind "fissure."
Synonyms
View more →
nuclear fission
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fission
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for 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.
