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 of atomic

• tiny
• minuscule
• microscopic
• miniature

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

These measurements revealed that the second conductivity drop occurred when the atomic structure of the warm dense aluminum suddenly lost its orderly arrangement and became disordered. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 20 Dec. 2025

India opens nuclear energy to private sector India is opening up its nuclear energy industry to the private sector, echoing a global shift toward atomic power. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025

Very low Earth orbit satellites are exposed to very high levels of atomic oxygen, which is a highly reactive form of oxygen that quickly corrodes most substances, even plastics. —Sven Bilén, The Conversation, 16 Dec. 2025

At temperatures above 2,000 °F (1,093 °C), the radioactive compounds dissolve into the viscous glass, locking each element into a stable atomic matrix. —New Atlas, 14 Dec. 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