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 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 His accuracy would’ve made an atomic clock sit up and say: Wow, that dude is on point. Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024 But those atomic clocks are too pricey at the moment, although Tanaka foresees the cost decreasing in the future as the technology becomes more broadly incorporated into cellphones. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 June 2023 Even in our technological age, distant galaxies are needed to keep atomic clocks in sync with the slowing rotation of the Earth. TIME, 15 Dec. 2023

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

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 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

atomic clock

noun
: an extremely exact clock that depends for its operation on the natural vibrations of atoms (as of cesium)

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