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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Closer to home, physicists study vibrations of atoms, such as those used in atomic clocks, to look for deviations from pure constancy.
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Paul Sutter, Space.com, 23 May 2025
The payloads aboard this Dragon cargo mission—the 32nd by SpaceX—include normal things like fresh food (exactly 1,262 tortillas), biomedical and pharmaceutical experiments, and the technical demonstration of a new atomic clock.
—Abigail Bassett, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025
That includes a demonstration of refined maneuvers for free-floating robots, an enhanced air quality monitoring system that could be used for missions to the moon and Mars, and two atomic clocks.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025
Rubidium is found in the earth’s crust alongside lithium and is used in technologies such as atomic clocks, motion sensors, signal generators, and GPS equipment—technologies that all rely on the hyperfine transition of electrons in rubidium atoms to keep time.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2025
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Paul Sutter, Space.com, 23 May 2025
The payloads aboard this Dragon cargo mission—the 32nd by SpaceX—include normal things like fresh food (exactly 1,262 tortillas), biomedical and pharmaceutical experiments, and the technical demonstration of a new atomic clock.
—Abigail Bassett, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025
That includes a demonstration of refined maneuvers for free-floating robots, an enhanced air quality monitoring system that could be used for missions to the moon and Mars, and two atomic clocks.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025
Rubidium is found in the earth’s crust alongside lithium and is used in technologies such as atomic clocks, motion sensors, signal generators, and GPS equipment—technologies that all rely on the hyperfine transition of electrons in rubidium atoms to keep time.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2025
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 4 Jul. 2025.
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