atomic clock
noun
: a precision clock that depends for its operation on an electrical oscillator regulated by the natural vibration frequencies of an atomic system (such as a beam of cesium atoms)
Examples of atomic clock in a Sentence
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To get extremely precise atomic measurements, Raizen proposes an experiment using a laser to cool and trap individual isotopes—variants of atoms—in an extremely precise atomic clock.
—
K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
That is in part because Starlink satellites have less precise timekeeping capabilities compared to dedicated GNSS satellites equipped with atomic clocks.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
After cooling atomic clocks that trap single ions such as aluminum and ytterbium to absolute zero, the researchers manipulated their quantum states with laser pulses.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
Today’s atomic clocks keep time by tracking changes in an atom’s electrons.
—Andrei Derevianko, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for atomic clock
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K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
That is in part because Starlink satellites have less precise timekeeping capabilities compared to dedicated GNSS satellites equipped with atomic clocks.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
After cooling atomic clocks that trap single ions such as aluminum and ytterbium to absolute zero, the researchers manipulated their quantum states with laser pulses.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
Today’s atomic clocks keep time by tracking changes in an atom’s electrons.
—Andrei Derevianko, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for atomic clock
Cite this Entry
“Atomic clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomic%20clock. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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