atomic

American  

[uh-tom-ik] / əˈtɒm ɪk /

Also atomical

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, resulting from, or using atoms, atomic energy, or atomic bombs.

   an atomic explosion.

2. propelled or driven by atomic energy.

   an atomic submarine.

3. Chemistry. existing as free, uncombined atoms.

4. extremely minute.

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atomic British  

/ əˈtɒmɪk /

adjective

1. of, using, or characterized by atomic bombs or atomic energy

   atomic warfare

2. of, related to, or comprising atoms

   atomic hydrogen

3. extremely small; minute

4. logic (of a sentence, formula, etc) having no internal structure at the appropriate level of analysis. In predicate calculus, Fa is an atomic sentence and Fx an atomic predicate

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atomic Scientific  

/ ə-tŏm′ĭk /

1. Relating to an atom or to atoms.

2. Employing nuclear energy.

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Other Word Forms

• atomically adverb
• nonatomic adjective
• nonatomical adjective
• nonatomically adverb

Etymology

Origin of atomic

First recorded in 1670–80; atom + -ic

Example Sentences

Fusion does the opposite: It combines light atomic nuclei into heavier ones, releasing enormous energy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rendered with atomic specks of red, blue and green that produce a darker purplish cast, its resonant effect is reinforced in the painted border Seurat added later, as he did to many of his seascapes.

From The Wall Street Journal

“First principles thinking to me is the lowest common denominator of the problem in the elements of the problem—so like I think about breaking the problem down to…atomic level,” McNeill said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The show examines the environmental and human cost of the atomic era through an artistic lens, tracing present day nuclear risk back to its Cold War roots.

From Los Angeles Times

“We thought AI was like atomic energy,” Patrick Pichette, the chief financial officer, recalled.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• microscopic