原 子 炉(げんしろ)

げんしろ

noun

nuclear reactor

1. nuclear reactor

A device that initiates and controls a sustained nuclear chain reaction, used for power generation, research, or other purposes.

原子炉(げんしろ)を停止(ていし)する。

To shut down the nuclear reactor.

古(ふる)い原子炉(げんしろ)の廃炉(はいろ)が決定(けってい)した。

It was decided to decommission the old nuclear reactor.

この発電所(はつでんしょ)には三基(さんき)の原子炉(げんしろ)があり、地域(ちいき)の電力(でんりょく)需要(じゅよう)の大部分(だいぶぶん)を賄(まかな)っている。

This power plant has three nuclear reactors, which supply most of the region's electricity demand.

A compound of 原子(げんし) (atom) and 炉(ろ) (furnace). A key term in discussions about energy policy, especially in Japan after the Fukushima disaster.

Common collocations

原子炉(げんしろ)を稼働(かどう)する: to operate a nuclear reactor
原子炉(げんしろ)を停止(ていし)する: to shut down a reactor
原子炉(げんしろ)の冷却(れいきゃく): reactor cooling
廃炉(はいろ): reactor decommissioning
原子炉(げんしろ)建屋(たてや): reactor building

Cultural note

Since the 2011 福島第一原子力発電所(ふくしまだいいちげんしりょくはつでんしょ) disaster, nuclear energy has been one of the most contentious topics in Japanese politics and society. The term 原子炉(げんしろ) appears frequently in news about reactor restarts, safety inspections, and decommissioning efforts.

general

Added 2026.3.31 2:16 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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