reactor

1. (chemistry, engineering) A structure used to contain chemical or other reactions.

2. (nuclear physics) A device which uses atomic energy to produce heat.Examples: "It limits the rights of nonweapon countries to develop an export business in civilian reactor technology."; "It is hoped that a competition to develop small modular reactors (SMRs) will drive billions of pounds of investment into the technology, which the government hopes will be cheaper and quicker to build than traditional large nuclear power plants."; "The second is whether the federal agency has the power to license such facilities away from reactor sites where the waste was generated. […] The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals also ruled the NRC does not have the authority to issue licenses to store nuclear fuel away from reactors."Synonyms: nuclear reactor, atomic reactor

3. (chemistry) A chemical substance which responds to the presence of, or contact with, another substance.

4. (electronics) An electrical component with reactance