Definitions for "THERMONUCLEAR"
relating to or using nuclear reactions (for example fusion) that occur only at very high temperatures. In relation to weapons, they are weapons in which an explosive force is produced by a thermonuclear reaction.
An adjective referring to the process in which very high temperatures are used to bring about the fusion of light nuclei (hydrogen), with the accompanying liberation of energy. A thermonuclear bomb is a weapon in which part of the explosion energy results from thermonuclear fusion reactions. The high temperatures required are obtained by means of a fission explosion. See; Fusion.
the application of high heat, obtained via a fission explosion, to bring about fusion of light nuclei.