atomic clock

/əˌtɑmɪk klɑk/

Other forms: atomic clocks

Definitions of atomic clock

1. noun

   a timepiece that derives its time scale from the vibration of atoms or molecules
   types:

   ammonia clock

   an atomic clock based on vibrational frequency of the nitrogen atom in the ammonia molecule

   caesium clock

   an atomic clock based on the energy difference between two states of the caesium nucleus in a magnetic field

   type of:

   horologe, timekeeper, timepiece

   a measuring instrument or device for keeping time