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
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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 Projects have been proposed to use an orbital constellation of optical atomic clocks to support the search for dark matter and dark energy, detect low-frequency gravitational waves with unprecedented accuracy and probe the fundamental limits of general relativity. Paul Lipman, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 The first of the new generation of quantum technologies to be broadly deployed in orbit will be highly precise optical atomic clocks. Paul Lipman, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 The study of physics itself could be revolutionized by using nuclear clocks alongside atomic clocks, according to Zhang. Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for atomic clock 

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of atomic clock was in 1924

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 25 Dec. 2024.

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

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