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 Optical atomic clocks, accurate to picoseconds, will enable satellite constellations and ground stations to determine satellites’ locations with centimeter-level precision—avoiding potentially catastrophic in-orbit collisions. Paul Lipman, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 In addition to housing famous politicians, 1 Observatory Circle is also home to a relic of history: the atomic clock, the most precise time scale in the world. Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 1 Oct. 2024 The atomic clock’s lynchpin is the electron—to tell time, researchers use a laser to coax the electrons to jump back and forth between two specific energy levels. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024 However, atomic clocks are also vulnerable to sync loss. Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for atomic clock 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'atomic clock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of atomic clock was in 1924

Dictionary Entries Near atomic clock

Cite this Entry

“Atomic clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomic%20clock. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

atomic clock

noun
: an extremely exact clock that depends for its operation on the natural vibrations of atoms (as of cesium)

More from Merriam-Webster on atomic clock

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