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
Synonyms
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
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 
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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
Dictionary Entries Near atomic
Cite this Entry
“Atomic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomic. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
atomic
adjective
atom·ic
ə-ˈtäm-ik 
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
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