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
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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 

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of atomic clock was in 1924

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 15 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

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