China syndrome: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 3.

  English-speakingidiomaticfigurativeinformalMachine
  • A metaphorical catastrophic failure or crisis, especially one of massive scale or one associated rhetorically with China; used beyond literal nuclear contexts to denote a disastrous situation.

  Examples

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  • The company’s sudden bankruptcy was described as a China syndrome, a total collapse with widespread consequences.

    The company’s sudden bankruptcy was described as a China syndrome, a total collapse with widespread consequences.

  • Political analysts warned that the scandal could trigger a China syndrome for the ruling party.

    Political analysts warned that the scandal could trigger a China syndrome for the ruling party.

  • The environmental disaster was seen as a China syndrome event due to its massive and lasting impact.

    The environmental disaster was seen as a China syndrome event due to its massive and lasting impact.

• 1.

  United StatesInternationalidiomatictechnicalnuclear physicsMachine
  • A hypothetical catastrophic nuclear-reactor meltdown in which molten core material breaches containment and sinks downward as if penetrating the Earth's crust.

  Examples

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  • Scientists have long studied the China syndrome to understand the risks of nuclear reactor meltdowns.

    Scientists have long studied the China syndrome to understand the risks of nuclear reactor meltdowns.

  • The movie dramatizes the hypothetical China syndrome, showing what might happen if a reactor core melted down completely.

    The movie dramatizes the hypothetical China syndrome, showing what might happen if a reactor core melted down completely.

  • Experts warn that a true China syndrome event would be catastrophic and nearly impossible to contain.

    Experts warn that a true China syndrome event would be catastrophic and nearly impossible to contain.

• 4.

  InternationalmedicalmedicinetechnicalrareMachine
  • A rare paralytic illness resembling poliomyelitis, characterized by symmetrical paralysis and reported in some vaccinated individuals.

  Examples

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  • After vaccination, a rare case of China syndrome was reported, causing temporary paralysis in the patient.

    After vaccination, a rare case of China syndrome was reported, causing temporary paralysis in the patient.

  • Doctors studied the China syndrome symptoms carefully to differentiate it from poliomyelitis.

    Doctors studied the China syndrome symptoms carefully to differentiate it from poliomyelitis.

  • The patient showed symmetrical paralysis indicative of China syndrome after receiving the vaccine.

    The patient showed symmetrical paralysis indicative of China syndrome after receiving the vaccine.

  • Is China syndrome still considered a concern in vaccination programs, or has it become extremely rare?

    Is China syndrome still considered a concern in vaccination programs, or has it become extremely rare?

• 2.

  United StatesInternationalidiomatictechnicalcountableMachine
  • A specific instance of a reactor core melt-through or catastrophic meltdown of the type described by the China syndrome hypothesis.

  Examples

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  • Last year's reactor incident was a close call with the China syndrome, but safety measures prevented disaster.

    Last year's reactor incident was a close call with the China syndrome, but safety measures prevented disaster.

  • Engineers worked tirelessly to avoid a China syndrome scenario after the cooling system failed.

    Engineers worked tirelessly to avoid a China syndrome scenario after the cooling system failed.

  • The report detailed the near China syndrome event caused by human error during maintenance checks.

    The report detailed the near China syndrome event caused by human error during maintenance checks.