# atomic

/əˈtɑmɪk/ (US) · /ɐtˈɒmɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/atomic
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. relating to atoms

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

relating to atoms, which are the tiny building blocks of everything in the universe.

For teachers: pertaining to or consisting of atoms; relating to the structure and properties of the smallest units of a chemical element.

- Scientists use special microscopes to study the atomic structure of different metals.
- The researchers mapped the atomic arrangement of the crystal lattice to understand why the material became brittle at low temperatures.

### 2. nuclear energy

adjective · CEFR B2

using or relating to the energy produced by splitting atoms.

For teachers: relating to or using energy derived from nuclear fission or fusion.

- The country decided to invest more in atomic power to reduce its carbon emissions.
- The mid-twentieth century saw a rapid expansion of atomic research as nations raced to harness the power of the nucleus for both energy and weaponry.

### 3. indivisible

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

describing something that is a single unit and cannot be broken down into smaller parts.

For teachers: forming a single, irreducible unit; incapable of being split or divided into smaller components.

- In this theory, the individual is seen as the atomic unit of society.
- The philosopher argued that certain basic truths are atomic, meaning they cannot be explained by breaking them down into simpler concepts.

### 4. computing operations

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

in computer programming, an action that happens completely or not at all, with no middle state.

For teachers: referring to an operation that appears to be instantaneous to the rest of the system; it either completes entirely or fails with no partial effect.

- The database update must be atomic so that no data is lost if the power goes out.
- To prevent data corruption during concurrent access, the developer implemented an atomic transaction that locks the record until the update is finalised.

### 5. computing unit

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a single task in a computer program that cannot be interrupted.

For teachers: a discrete, uninterruptible operation within a multi-threaded or distributed computing environment.

- The system handles each atomic with high priority to ensure the software stays stable.
- The architecture relies on a series of atomics to manage state changes across the cluster without requiring a central coordinator.

## Examples

- The scientists studied the atomic structure of the new material.
- The database ensures that every transaction is atomic, meaning it either finishes completely or does not change the data at all.
- While the early twentieth century focused on the destructive potential of atomic energy, modern research often explores its role in carbon-neutral power generation and medical imaging.

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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.