William J. BroadBarry Werth
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Some ancient philosophers believed that matter is infinitely divisible, that any particle, no matter how small, can always be divided into smaller particles. Others believed that there must be a limit and that everything in the universe must be made up of tiny indivisible particles. Such a hypothetical particle was called atomos in Greek, which means “indivisible.” According to modern atomic theory, all matter is made up of tiny particles named atoms from the ancient Greek atomos. However, it has turned out that atoms are not indivisible after all. Indeed, the splitting of atoms can be used to produce vast amounts of energy, as in atom bombs.
Synonyms
Examples of atom in a Sentence
Susumu Noda, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2024
Radioactive atoms trapped in seafloor sediments are the telltale signs of this event.
—Chris Impey, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024
The resulting carbon atoms accumulate on a diamond seed crystal placed inside the chamber and grow, layer by layer, into a diamond.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024
It is achieved when two atoms that usually repel are forced to fuse together.
—Angela Dewan, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024
Like, is anyone talking about the inventor of the atom bomb in their lives?
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 25 Mar. 2024
The experimental investigations mark the next stage in the quest to understand the particle that anchors every atom and makes up the bulk of our world.
—Quanta Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024
The historical drama, based on the life of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his creation of the atom bomb, became the highest-grossing biopic of all-time in 2023.
—Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024
Oklo, which Altman also chairs, is focused on the opposite reaction, fission, which generates energy by splitting an atom; fusion does so by merging atomic nuclei.
Representatives for Altman, through his special acquisition company AltC, didn’t respond to a request for comment.
—Emily Pandise, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'atom.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near atom
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“Atom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atom. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Middle English atom "particle," from Latin atomus (same meaning), derived from Greek atomos "unable to be divided," from a- "not" and temnein "to cut"
Medical Definition
atom
noun
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