Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for atom

atom

[ at-uhm ]

noun

  1. Physics.
    1. the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element, consisting of a nucleus containing combinations of neutrons and protons and one or more electrons bound to the nucleus by electrical attraction; the number of protons determines the identity of the element.
    2. an atom with one of the electrons replaced by some other particle:

      muonic atom;

      kaonic atom.

  2. Energy. this component as the source of nuclear energy.
  3. a hypothetical particle of matter so minute as to admit of no division.
  4. anything extremely small; a minute quantity.

    Synonyms: whit, jot, iota, scintilla, speck, shred



atom

/ ˈætəm /

noun

    1. the smallest quantity of an element that can take part in a chemical reaction
    2. this entity as a source of nuclear energy See also atomic structure

      the power of the atom

  1. any entity regarded as the indivisible building block of a theory
  2. the hypothetical indivisible particle of matter postulated by certain ancient philosophers as the fundamental constituent of matter See also atomism
  3. a very small amount or quantity; minute fragment

    there is not an atom of truth in his allegations

    to smash something to atoms



atom

/ ătəm /

  1. The smallest unit of an element, consisting of at least one proton and (for all elements except hydrogen) one or more neutrons in a dense central nucleus, surrounded by one or more shells of electrons. In electrically neutral atoms, the number of protons equals the number of electrons. Atoms remain intact in chemical reactions except for the removal, transfer, or exchange of certain electrons.
  2. Compare compoundSee also ion


atom

  1. A unit of matter ; the smallest unit of a chemical element . Each atom consists of a nucleus , which has a positive charge , and a set of electrons that move around the nucleus. ( See Bohr atom .)


Discover More

Notes

Atoms link together to form molecules .

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of atom1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English attomos, athomus, from Latin atomus, from Greek átomos, noun use of átomos “undivided,” equivalent to a- a- 6 + tomós “divided,” from témnein “to cut”

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of atom1

C16: via Old French and Latin, from Greek atomos (n), from atomos (adj) that cannot be divided, from a- 1+ temnein to cut

Discover More

Example Sentences

The atoms vibrate less, and because such vibrations are simply heat, the alloy’s temperature drops.

Einstein used Brownian motion to deduce the existence of atoms, which bombard the microscopic particles.

It is really fascinating that atoms and quarks, following very different rules, can both form very similar complex objects.

Lenz noted that if most atoms pointed together, their tiny magnetic fields would fuse, and the material would act like a magnet overall.

A negatively charged oxygen atom sits at the bottom of that “V,” explains Xia.

Check: “This atom smashing business is going to herald the final victory of the machine.”

They found that there are roughly 1,900 hydrogen atoms for each deuterium atom in the water on Comet 67P.

Releasing a new issue was like dropping an atom bomb on the industry.

You have the atom, which has the neutron, the electron, the proton.

A face in a sea of faces, how could you know he hid among them like Oppenheimer, building a lab to split the atom.

Standing in the wet shingle, Maynard regarded the speckled atom as it lay in the palm of his hand.

Such an atom would by the rotation of the sphere accomplish no motion except, indeed, that it might turn round on its own centre.

She had a governess and she had a maid, but I must say she didn't seem an atom set up, and was just as nice when she met us girls.

The loss of one electron by an atom leaves a unit positive charge on the particle.

The smallest atom, when she chooses to make use of it, is obliged to obey her will.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


atollatom-bomb