coordinated universal time
Greenwich Time that is adjusted to minimize its divergence from international atomic time. Abbreviation: UTC
Origin of coordinated universal time
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
Scientific definitions for coordinated universal time
[ kō-ôr′dn-ā′tĭd ]
A highly accurate time scale based on time measured by an atomic clock. Because coordinated universal time is unaffected by the gradual slowing of Earth's rotation, leap seconds are added as needed to synchronize it with the sidereal (rotation-based) universal time. Coordinated universal time is used internationally for scientific and technical purposes. Compare universal time.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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