subatomic

adjective

sub·​atom·​ic ˌsəb-ə-ˈtä-mik How to pronounce subatomic (audio)
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
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Qubits are fast but error-prone, because they can be jostled by something as small as a subatomic particle from events in outer space. Stephen Nellis, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024 Rather than processing information with every bit represented by either a 1 or 0, quantum computers use (rather fittingly) quantum mechanics, a field of physics that studies subatomic particles, to operate. Martin Lerma, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2024 Qubits are the units of computation in quantum computers, and are typically electrons, photons, or another subatomic particle. Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 9 Dec. 2024 By observing and experimenting directly with subatomic behaviors, new quantum patterns and principles will be uncovered that will redefine our understanding of the atom and quantum computation and expand the frontiers of quantum science. Pravir Malik, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for subatomic 

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subatomic was in 1874

Dictionary Entries Near subatomic

Cite this Entry

“Subatomic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subatomic. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

subatomic

adjective
sub·​atom·​ic ˌsəb-ə-ˈtäm-ik How to pronounce subatomic (audio)
1
: of or relating to the inside of the atom
2
: of, relating to, or being particles smaller than atoms
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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