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
They were created as a way to reconcile deviations between traditional astronomical time and the newer international reference based on atomic clocks, known as Coordinated Universal Time or UTC.
—
Bill Chappell, NPR, 30 Mar. 2024
Then came the era of highly precise atomic clocks, which proved a much more stable way of defining a physical second.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
Simply put, atomic clocks are an invisible force keeping our modern lives ticking.
—Markus Lutz, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
These days, power stations use atomic clocks to regulate grid frequency.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Feb. 2024
The fastest pulsars, spinning hundreds of times per second, make excellent clocks—on par with the best atomic clocks.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 June 2023
In 1955, physicist Louis Essen created an atomic clock based on the oscillation of cesium atoms.
—Markus Lutz, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Some customers, such as actinium 225 shoppers, are in the medical industry, but other isotopes go in atomic clocks, spacecraft, computers and oil-and-gas instruments.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2024
With atomic clocks, accuracy is within about three meters.
—Markus Lutz, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Bill Chappell, NPR, 30 Mar. 2024
Then came the era of highly precise atomic clocks, which proved a much more stable way of defining a physical second.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
Simply put, atomic clocks are an invisible force keeping our modern lives ticking.
—Markus Lutz, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
These days, power stations use atomic clocks to regulate grid frequency.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Feb. 2024
The fastest pulsars, spinning hundreds of times per second, make excellent clocks—on par with the best atomic clocks.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 June 2023
In 1955, physicist Louis Essen created an atomic clock based on the oscillation of cesium atoms.
—Markus Lutz, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Some customers, such as actinium 225 shoppers, are in the medical industry, but other isotopes go in atomic clocks, spacecraft, computers and oil-and-gas instruments.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2024
With atomic clocks, accuracy is within about three meters.
—Markus Lutz, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'atomic clock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 20 Apr. 2024.
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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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