atomic

Also a·tom·i·cal

[uh-tom-ik]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, resulting from, or using atoms, atomic energy, or atomic bombs.

   an atomic explosion.

2. propelled or driven by atomic energy.

   an atomic submarine.

3. Chemistry.,  existing as free, uncombined atoms.

4. extremely minute.

atomic

/ əˈtɒmɪk /

adjective

1. of, using, or characterized by atomic bombs or atomic energy

   atomic warfare

2. of, related to, or comprising atoms

   atomic hydrogen

3. extremely small; minute

4. logic (of a sentence, formula, etc) having no internal structure at the appropriate level of analysis. In predicate calculus, Fa is an atomic sentence and Fx an atomic predicate

atomic

1. Relating to an atom or to atoms.

2. Employing nuclear energy.

Other Word Forms

• atomically adverb
• nonatomic adjective
• nonatomical adjective
• nonatomically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of atomic¹

First recorded in 1670–80; atom + -ic

Example Sentences

Qubits are sensitive to environmental noise or any disturbances at the atomic level, which is why quantum computers have a propensity for errors.

Read more on Barron's

Quantum metals are metals where quantum effects -- behaviors that normally only matter at atomic scales -- become powerful enough to control the metal's macroscopic electrical properties.

Read more on Science Daily

Seven months after the invasion began, President Vladimir Putin tried to justify his reckless nuclear threats by alarmingly insisting that the atomic bombings of Japan had established a “precedent.”

Read more on Salon

But then, completely unexpectedly months later, America dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Read more on BBC

The very next day, in fact, the American newspaper PM, based in New York, ran an article speculating on the catastrophic consequences of an atomic bomb detonating in the heart of that very city.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• microscopic