atomic

adjective

atom·​ic ə-ˈtä-mik 

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

b

: atomistic sense 2

3

: minute

4

of a chemical element : existing in the state of separate atoms

atomically

ə-ˈtä-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• tiny
• minuscule
• miniature
• microscopic
• microscopical

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 box office success of King Kong’s 1952 rerelease, followed by Eugene Lourie’s The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953), where a dinosaur was awakened by an atomic blast, both served as inspiration. —Michael Taube, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025

But the very existence of such a ban shows that the continent has long been deeply wary of atomic technology. —Anna Heim, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025

Findings will also improve scientists' understanding of how atomic hydrogen escapes Earth's gravity and inform models of planetary evolution in the search for habitable exoplanets. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Significance of the cluster formation process By mapping the step-by-step growth of nanoclusters, the study authors have provided a rare glimpse into how atomic building blocks come together. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing atomic

• atomic bomb
• atomic clock
• atomic energy
• atomic force microscope
• atomic layer deposition
• atomic mass
• atomic mass unit
• atomic number
• atomic pile
• atomic reactor
• atomic theory
• atomic weight
• gram-atomic weight

Rhymes for atomic

• adamic
• anomic
• islamic
• meramec
• tokamak
• anatomic
• antidromic
• astronomic
• autonomic
• cryptogamic
• diatomic
• economic

Kids 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