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atomic clock
noun
: a precision clock that depends for its operation on an electrical oscillator regulated by the natural vibration frequencies of an atomic system (such as a beam of cesium atoms)
Examples of atomic clock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But barring those machines, checking your watch now and again for precision against an atomic clock is a window into its invisible world.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2025
The ball was lowered by hand until the mid-1990s; now it is timed electronically using an atomic clock based in Colorado (but New York City's mayor and other special guests still get the honor of pushing the ceremonial button).
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
At its center are atomic clocks, which measure the passage of time by tracking the quantum transitions of electrons.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2024
Projects have been proposed to use an orbital constellation of optical atomic clocks to support the search for dark matter and dark energy, detect low-frequency gravitational waves with unprecedented accuracy and probe the fundamental limits of general relativity.
—Paul Lipman, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1924, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near atomic clock
Cite this Entry
“Atomic clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomic%20clock. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
atomic clock
noun
: an extremely exact clock that depends for its operation on the natural vibrations of atoms (as of cesium)
More from Merriam-Webster on atomic clock
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for atomic clock
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atomic clock
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