atomic

American  

[uh-tom-ik] / əˈtɒm ɪk /

Also atomical

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.

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atomic British  

/ 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

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atomic Scientific  

/ ə-tŏm′ĭk /

1. Relating to an atom or to atoms.

2. Employing nuclear energy.

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of atomic

First recorded in 1670–80; atom + -ic

Example Sentences

Even in this atomic system, the defining signatures of Josephson junctions emerged.

From Science Daily

North Korea said on Sunday that Japan's nuclear ambitions "must be prevented at any cost", after a Tokyo official reportedly suggested the country should possess atomic weapons.

From Barron's

Those measurements allow Europa Clipper to closely study these atomic species, offering a more detailed look at what is happening in the comet and what it is made of.

From Science Daily

Nuclear fusion occurs when two light atomic nuclei merge to form a single heavier one.

From The Wall Street Journal

These uncertainties include how neutrinos interact with atomic nuclei, the exact number of neutrinos in the beam and how the detector itself responds to incoming particles.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• microscopic