# atomic operation

CEFR C2 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/atomic-operation
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Definition

a computer task that happens completely or not at all. It cannot be interrupted or stopped halfway through by another part of the system.

For teachers: an operation that appears to the rest of the system as a single, indivisible action. It guarantees that the state change is either fully completed or has no effect, preventing data corruption in concurrent environments.

## Examples

- The database uses an atomic operation to update your account balance.
- When two users try to buy the last ticket at once, the system must use an atomic operation to ensure only one succeeds.
- In multi-threaded programming, ensuring that a variable increment is an atomic operation prevents race conditions where two threads might read and write the same memory location simultaneously.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the context of database transactions and concurrent programming; often paired with the verb 'perform' or 'execute'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.