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atomic clock
noun
: a precision clock that depends for its operation on an electrical oscillator regulated by the natural vibration frequencies of an atomic system (such as a beam of cesium atoms)
Examples of atomic clock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There was a time when atomic clocks looked like pretty hot stuff.
—
David Szondy, New Atlas, 12 Jan. 2025
But barring those machines, checking your watch now and again for precision against an atomic clock is a window into its invisible world.
—
Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2025
The ball was lowered by hand until the mid-1990s; now it is timed electronically using an atomic clock based in Colorado (but New York City's mayor and other special guests still get the honor of pushing the ceremonial button).
—
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
At its center are atomic clocks, which measure the passage of time by tracking the quantum transitions of electrons.
—
Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1924, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near atomic clock
Cite this Entry
“Atomic clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomic%20clock. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
atomic clock
noun
: an extremely exact clock that depends for its operation on the natural vibrations of atoms (as of cesium)
More from Merriam-Webster on atomic clock
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for atomic clock
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atomic clock
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