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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
The first of the new generation of quantum technologies to be broadly deployed in orbit will be highly precise optical atomic clocks.
—Paul Lipman, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
The study of physics itself could be revolutionized by using nuclear clocks alongside atomic clocks, according to Zhang.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 10 Sep. 2024
Optical atomic clocks, accurate to picoseconds, will enable satellite constellations and ground stations to determine satellites’ locations with centimeter-level precision—avoiding potentially catastrophic in-orbit collisions.
—Paul Lipman, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
In addition to housing famous politicians, 1 Observatory Circle is also home to a relic of history: the atomic clock, the most precise time scale in the world.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for atomic clock
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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 17 Nov. 2024.
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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