China syndrome

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A hypothetical kind of catastrophic failure in which a nuclear reactor melts through the…

   A hypothetical kind of catastrophic failure in which a nuclear reactor melts through the floor of its containment system and (if on land) penetrates the Earth's surface, continuing downward as if (from a Western Hemispheric point of view) traveling through the planet toward China.

   • The Ergen report contains an analysis showing that the high-temperature mass would sink into the earth and grow in size for about two years. […] This behavior projection is known as the China syndrome.
   • The molten mass did not even fully penetrate the 0.5-cm cladding, confirming tests in Karlsruhe, Germany, and in Idaho, that the "China syndrome" is not a credible possibility.
2. 2

   A specific instance of this type of failure.

   • The report judged the risks of catastrophic nuclear power plant accidents (known as core meltdowns or China syndromes) to be socially acceptable.
   • Contrary to accounts in the media, he states, "bugs of this nature don't cause China Syndromes or missile launches, at least not generally."
3. 3

   A behavior, policy, or situation characteristic of or involving China

   A behavior, policy, or situation characteristic of or involving China; an actual or potential catastrophe, especially one involving China.

   • And then there is the China syndrome. […] China now represents about 20% of Korea's total trade.
4. ›+ 2 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A rare disease, first characterized in the early 1990s, which resembles polio but which…

      A rare disease, first characterized in the early 1990s, which resembles polio but which has somewhat different characteristics and occurs in persons vaccinated for polio.

      • Unlike poliomyelitis, paralysis in China syndrome is symmetrical. In addition, cases are seasonal.
   2. 5

      Alternative form of China syndrome.

The neighborhood