heavy-water reactor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical, Scientific
Quick answer
What does “heavy-water reactor” mean?
A type of nuclear reactor that uses heavy water (deuterium oxide, D₂O) as its neutron moderator and coolant.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of nuclear reactor that uses heavy water (deuterium oxide, D₂O) as its neutron moderator and coolant.
A reactor design enabling the use of unenriched, natural uranium as fuel, offering advantages in fuel-cycle simplicity and plutonium production. The term also refers to specific reactor models like the CANDU.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and some terminology: British usage often refers to 'moderator', while US may use 'neutron moderator'. The UK historically used 'calandria' in design descriptions.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties. In policy contexts, may carry connotations related to nuclear proliferation due to plutonium production capability.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in Commonwealth countries (e.g., Canada, UK) due to CANDU reactor presence.
Grammar
How to Use “heavy-water reactor” in a Sentence
The [country] operates several heavy-water reactors.A heavy-water reactor uses [material] as fuel.Compared to a light-water reactor, a heavy-water reactor...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “heavy-water reactor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The country plans to heavy-water reactor the region? (Not a verb)
American English
- The design heavy-water-reactors the neutron economy? (Not a verb)
adverb
British English
- The plant operates heavy-water reactonly? (Not an adverb)
American English
- The reaction proceeded heavy-water reactively? (Not an adverb)
adjective
British English
- The heavy-water reactor design is prevalent in Canada.
- He moderated the discussion on heavy-water reactor technology.
American English
- The heavy-water reactor program received federal funding.
- A heavy-water reactor facility requires stringent safeguards.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in energy sector reports, investment analyses of nuclear power.
Academic
Core term in nuclear engineering, physics papers, and comparative reactor technology studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used; replaced by general 'nuclear reactor'.
Technical
Precise term for a reactor class; used in design specs, safety protocols, and operational manuals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “heavy-water reactor”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “heavy-water reactor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “heavy-water reactor”
- Misspelling as 'heavywater reactor' (should be hyphenated).
- Confusing it with a 'boiling water reactor' (BWR).
- Using as a general term for any large nuclear reactor.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, heavy water (deuterium oxide) is not radioactive itself. It is a stable isotope of hydrogen.
Primarily Canada (CANDU design), India, Pakistan, Romania, South Korea, and historically Argentina and China.
Yes, they can produce weapons-grade plutonium more readily than some other reactor types, which is a non-proliferation concern.
CANada Deuterium Uranium, referring to the Canadian-designed heavy-water reactor.
A type of nuclear reactor that uses heavy water (deuterium oxide, D₂O) as its neutron moderator and coolant.
Heavy-water reactor is usually technical, scientific in register.
Heavy-water reactor: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhev.i ˈwɔː.tə riˈæk.tə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhev.i ˈwɑː.t̬ɚ riˈæk.tɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None applicable; technical term”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'HEAVY water weighs down neutrons, allowing natural fuel.' HEAVY = Deuterium, WATER = moderator, REACTOR = where fission happens.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FILTER or SPONGE (heavy water absorbs/scatters neutrons to sustain the chain reaction).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary advantage of a heavy-water reactor?