prenuclear

[ pree-noo-klee-er, -nyoo- or, by metathesis, -kyuh-ler ]
/ priˈnu kli ər, -ˈnyu- or, by metathesis, -kyə lər /

adjective

of or relating to the era before the development of nuclear weapons.

Origin of prenuclear

First recorded in 1950–55; pre- + nuclear

pronunciation note for prenuclear

See nuclear.