atomic

adjective

atom·​ic ə-ˈtä-mik How to pronounce atomic (audio)
Synonyms of atomicnext
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 How to pronounce atomic (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of atomic

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As transistor sizes shrink to their atomic limits, computing demands are only growing. — Alex Music, IEEE Spectrum, 25 June 2026 Isotopes are versions of atomic elements with different numbers of neutrons. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 6 July 2026 In fact, the idea of splitting atoms for propulsion and power was being seriously considered almost as soon as the first atomic explosions were made public. — David Szondy july 07, New Atlas, 8 July 2026 China has recently focused more investment in quantum computing, and designed the world’s first dual-core atomic quantum computer. — Donald Keough, Christian Science Monitor, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for atomic

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of atomic was in 1678

Phrases Containing atomic

Rhymes for atomic

See All Rhymes for atomic

Browse Nearby Words

atom beam
atomic
atomic absorption spectrometer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Atomic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomic. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

atomic

adjective
atom·​ic ə-ˈtäm-ik How to pronounce atomic (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on atomic

Nglish: Translation of atomic for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tacit

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All