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
Recent Examples on the Web
First introduced in the 1950s, atomic clocks replaced how scientists previously measured the length of a day by tracking the Earth's rotation and position of the sun.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 22 July 2025
Optical atomic clocks deliver timing accuracy at the picosecond level and operate independently of GPS, allowing the defense network to stay precisely in sync, even in congested or contested environments.
—Paul Lipman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Fun fact: The shortest day on record Since the first atomic clocks were developed in the 1950s and 1960s, the shortest day recorded was July 5, 2024, which was 1.66 milliseconds less than the standard 24-hour period.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 July 2025
The system comprises a network of atomic clocks housed at four secure facilities across the country, including Teddington.
—William Ralston, WIRED, 25 Aug. 2022
See All Example Sentences for atomic clock
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 22 July 2025
Optical atomic clocks deliver timing accuracy at the picosecond level and operate independently of GPS, allowing the defense network to stay precisely in sync, even in congested or contested environments.
—Paul Lipman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Fun fact: The shortest day on record Since the first atomic clocks were developed in the 1950s and 1960s, the shortest day recorded was July 5, 2024, which was 1.66 milliseconds less than the standard 24-hour period.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 July 2025
The system comprises a network of atomic clocks housed at four secure facilities across the country, including Teddington.
—William Ralston, WIRED, 25 Aug. 2022
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 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share