noun
Common
reactor
ree-AK-tuh
Reactor (noun) means a structure or device that produces energy through a controlled nuclear reaction. Example: “Engineers shut down the reactor so they could inspect the cooling system.”
noun
1
A structure or device that produces energy through a controlled nuclear reaction.
"Engineers shut down the reactor so they could inspect the cooling system."
"A small research reactor was built at the university for training students."
"The power station has three nuclear reactors."
2
A person or thing that reacts to something.
"He is a slow reactor to sudden bad news."
How to use reactor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often used for the large structure that generates power through nuclear reactions.
Common pairings
nuclear reactor
reactor core
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Word forms
- Plural
- reactors
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Engineers shut down the _____ so they could inspect the cooling system.
Etymology
From "react" plus the agent suffix "-or."
Synonyms
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nuclear plant
Rhymes for reactor
See all rhymes for reactor →Frequently asked questions
What does “reactor” mean?
The word “reactor” means a structure or device that produces energy through a controlled nuclear reaction. In plain terms, most often used for the large structure that generates power through nuclear reactions.
How do you pronounce “reactor”?
“Reactor” is pronounced ree-AK-tuh (/ɹiˈæktɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “reactor” in a sentence?
Here is “reactor” used in a sentence: “The power station has three nuclear reactors.”
What part of speech is “reactor”?
“Reactor” is a noun.
Is “reactor” a common word?
“Reactor” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “reactor” have?
“Reactor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a structure or device that produces energy through a controlled nuclear reaction.
What is the difference between a reactor and a generator?
A reactor is a structure or device that produces energy through a controlled nuclear reaction, while a generator converts mechanical energy into electricity, often using steam produced by a reactor's heat. In a nuclear power plant, the reactor supplies the heat, and a separate generator converts that energy into usable electrical power.
What does reactor mean when it doesn't refer to nuclear power?
Reactor can also simply mean a person or thing that reacts to something, a more general sense unrelated to nuclear technology.
Is 'reactor' only used for nuclear power plants?
No, while reactor is most commonly associated with devices that produce energy through controlled nuclear reactions, it is also used in chemistry for vessels where controlled chemical reactions take place.
