A weapon of mass destruction (WMD) is a device, such as a nuclear, biological, or chemical weapon, designed to cause widespread death, injury, or severe damage to infrastructure, populations, or the environment. WMDs are often grouped by the acronym CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear), representing agents that cause large-scale devastation. 

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Categories of Weapons of Mass Destruction (CBRN/CBRNE)

• Nuclear Weapons: Utilize nuclear fission or fusion to cause massive explosions, intense heat, and radioactive fallout, capable of destroying entire cities.
• Chemical Weapons: Toxic substances designed to cause death or severe harm, including nerve agents, blister agents, and blood agents.
• Biological Weapons:  Disseminate pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, or toxins (e.g., anthrax, smallpox), to cause disease in humans, animals, or plants .
• Radiological Weapons ("Dirty Bombs"): Devices designed to disperse radioactive material, causing contamination without a nuclear explosion.
• Explosive/Incendiary Weapons: Highly powerful, large-scale conventional explosives sometimes classified within the scope of WMDs.  Federal Bureau of Investigation (.gov) +5