atomic
uh-TOM-ihk
Atomic (adjective) means relating to atoms. Example: “Scientists study atomic structure to understand how elements behave.”
adjective
1
Relating to atoms.
"Scientists study atomic structure to understand how elements behave."
"The atomic mass of an element is listed in the periodic table."
"Atomic number refers to the number of protons in an atom's nucleus."
2
Relating to nuclear energy or nuclear weapons.
"The country relies on atomic energy for part of its electricity."
"An atomic power station needs strict safety checks."
"The atomic bomb changed the course of the war."
3
So small or basic that it cannot be broken down any further.
"In databases, an atomic operation either finishes completely or does not happen at all."
"Break the task into atomic steps that cannot be split further."
"Each commit should represent one atomic change to the code."
How to use atomic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to atoms or nuclear power — or, in tech and science contexts, describing something indivisible and self-contained.
Common pairings
atomic bomb
atomic energy
atomic number
atomic operation
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Word forms
- Plural
- atomics
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Scientists study _____ structure to understand how elements behave.
Etymology
From atom + -ic.
Related words
Rhymes for atomic
See all rhymes for atomic →Frequently asked questions
What does “atomic” mean?
The word “atomic” means relating to atoms. In plain terms, relating to atoms or nuclear power — or, in tech and science contexts, describing something indivisible and self-contained.
How do you pronounce “atomic”?
“Atomic” is pronounced uh-TOM-ihk (/əˈtɑː.mɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “atomic” in a sentence?
Here is “atomic” used in a sentence: “Atomic number refers to the number of protons in an atom's nucleus.”
What part of speech is “atomic”?
“Atomic” is an adjective.
Is “atomic” a common word?
“Atomic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “atomic” have?
“Atomic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to atoms.
What is the difference between atomic and nuclear?
Atomic means relating to atoms as a whole, while nuclear strictly refers to the nucleus at the atom's centre. In the context of energy and weapons the two overlap — 'atomic bomb' and 'nuclear bomb' describe the same kind of weapon — though nuclear is now the more common technical term.
What are common collocations with atomic?
Frequent pairings include atomic energy and atomic weapons (relating to nuclear power and arms), atomic number (the count of protons in an element's atoms), and atomic clock (a highly precise clock regulated by the vibrations of atoms). Each collocation draws on the core sense 'relating to atoms.'
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