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
3
: minute
4
of a chemical element
: existing in the state of separate atoms
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
The only way to pre-empt detection by these IAEA watchdogs would be for Ukraine to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and expel the atomic inspectors, but those moves would amount to trumpeting Kyiv’s clandestine quest to develop a nuclear warhead.
—
Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Randy Fine’s suggestion to fire atomic weapons at Gaza exhibits an astounding amount of ignorance.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2025
The last of the dead would come in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, when as many as 210,000 people — nearly all of them Japanese civilians — died in the first and so far only atomic bombings.
—Bryan Walsh, Vox, 26 May 2025
Zinc occurs in atomic variants (isotopes) of different weights, and is ingested with food.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for atomic
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Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Randy Fine’s suggestion to fire atomic weapons at Gaza exhibits an astounding amount of ignorance.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2025
The last of the dead would come in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, when as many as 210,000 people — nearly all of them Japanese civilians — died in the first and so far only atomic bombings.
—Bryan Walsh, Vox, 26 May 2025
Zinc occurs in atomic variants (isotopes) of different weights, and is ingested with food.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for atomic
Cite this Entry
“Atomic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomic. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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