atomic

adjective

atom·​ic ə-ˈtä-mik How to pronounce atomic (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or concerned with atoms
atomic physics
b
: nuclear sense 2
atomic energy
2
a
: marked by acceptance of the theory of atomism
3
: minute
4
of a chemical element : existing in the state of separate atoms
atomically adverb

Examples of atomic in a Sentence

made atomic adjustments to the clock's mechanism to keep it from whirring as it ran
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded Friday to a Japanese anti-nuclear weapon group comprising survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 11 Oct. 2024 AlphaFold is really at the low level, atomic details of all these things, and that's quite distinct. Richard Nieva, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Although Godzilla takes the crown worldwide, this 1953 classic is perhaps the best American film from the cycle of atomic monster movies that sprung out of the decade's intense Cold War paranoia. Katie Rife, EW.com, 18 Oct. 2024 On a regular day, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which keeps atomic time for the U.S. and synchronizes most of the world’s computers, receives more than 100 billion time-coordination requests from up to a billion computers. Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for atomic 

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of atomic was in 1678

Cite this Entry

“Atomic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomic. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

atomic

adjective
atom·​ic ə-ˈtäm-ik How to pronounce atomic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or concerned with atoms, atomic bombs, or nuclear energy
atomic physics
the atomic age
atomic energy
2
: extremely small
3
: found in the state of separate atoms
atomic hydrogen

More from Merriam-Webster on atomic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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