nuclear fallout
English edit
Etymology edit
In reference to such material falling out of the sky.
Noun edit
nuclear fallout (countable and uncountable, plural nuclear fallouts)
- (uncountable) Residual radioactive material in the upper atmosphere which settles down to Earth over a protracted period; typically ash which has been propelled upwards by a nuclear explosion or disaster, sometimes mixed with rain or snow.
- (countable) An event in which this occurs, generally perceived as an ecological disaster due to the distribution of irradiated material over a much larger area than the zone directly affected by the original event.
Synonyms edit
Translations edit
radioactive material in the atmosphere which settles down to Earth
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