Standard Lemma guide

downblend

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /ˈdaʊn.blɛnd/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To blend highly-enriched uranium, typically from decommissioned nuclear weapons, with uranium containing a low concentration of fissile uranium-235 (slightly-enriched uranium, natural uranium, or depleted uranium) in order to convert it to low-enriched uranium suitable for use as fuel in standard power reactors but not usable for a fission bomb.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive, usually

Qualifier: nuclear physics

Examples

  • The facility has the capacity to downblend 5 tonnes of bomb-grade uranium per year.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Blend of down + blend.