subatomic

adjective

sub·​atom·​ic ˌsəb-ə-ˈtä-mik 

1

: of or relating to the inside of the atom

2

: of, relating to, or being particles smaller than atoms

Examples of subatomic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Both generate blasts of high-energy subatomic particles that can slam into Earth’s magnetic field, causing widespread problems such as blackouts, loss of satellites, and more. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 22 Jan. 2026

OpenMC predicts how subatomic particles, specifically neutrons and photons, move through complex systems and interact with materials. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Jan. 2026

With this philosophy, physics has made enormous progress in advancing our understanding of the universe, from subatomic quantum systems to the Big Bang. —Paul Sutter, Space.com, 29 Dec. 2025

That day, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded for discoveries not involving black holes, cosmology, or strange new subatomic particles, but about AI. —Adam Frank, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subatomic

• anatomic
• antidromic
• astronomic
• autonomic
• cryptogamic
• diatomic
• economic
• ergonomic
• gastronomic
• monatomic
• psychonomic
• taxonomic

Medical Definition

subatomic

adjective

sub·​atom·​ic ˌsəb-ə-ˈtäm-ik 

1

: of or relating to the inside of the atom

2

: of, relating to, or being particles smaller than atoms