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

North Korea, a nuclear power, has said some of these systems are capable of delivering atomic warheads. —Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026

There is a cost to all of this—a flattening of every event, feeling, and piece of art, commerce, joy, and suffering into the same atomic unit of attention, all of them easily replaced by what comes next. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026

Its apparently smooth screen quickly dissolves into a jiggling lattice of molecules, which in turn resolve into clouds of electrons buzzing around atomic nuclei. —Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026

Nuclear experts call this claim unlikely—but the confusion may stem from some basics of atomic chemistry. —Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026

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