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

For physicists, these twisted shapes make for excellent points of comparison when contemplating the properties of subatomic particles, such as the spin of the electron, which must be rotated by 720 degrees to get back to its start. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 18 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

Like other subatomic particles, protons possess a quantum property called spin, akin to classical angular momentum. —David Schneider, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2025

Particle beams- streams of atoms or subatomic particles accelerated to nearly the speed of light – have long been considered the holy grail of space warfare. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 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