nuclearpile
nounUK /ˈnjuːkliə paɪl/
US /ˈnuːkliər paɪl/
A nuclear pile is a big stack of special material that makes heat in a safe, controlled way.
The scientists built a nuclear pile to study how atoms release energy.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A large heap of nuclear fuel arranged to sustain a controlled chain reaction.
The first nuclear pile was assembled under the stadium stands.
3. An early term for a reactor used in physics experiments.
Enrico Fermi's nuclear pile proved that a chain reaction could be controlled.
4. A stack of radioactive material used to produce heat or plutonium.
The nuclear pile generated heat that was later used to make steam.