subatomic

adjective

sub·​atom·​ic ˌsəb-ə-ˈtä-mik How to pronounce subatomic (audio)
1
: of or relating to the inside of the atom
2
: of, relating to, or being particles smaller than atoms

Examples of subatomic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The discovery that our world emerges from a microscopic world of molecules, which emerges from an even more microscopic world of subatomic particles (which in turn emerges from even stranger stuff) triggered the rewriting of our theories of matter. — Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026 Most is in the form of subatomic particles called neutrinos, which carry little energy individually but are generated in vast numbers when a star explodes. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026 There is a dizzying array of subatomic particles in the particle zoo. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026 Finally, engineers will log subatomic decay variances to test basic physical laws. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subatomic

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subatomic was in 1874

Rhymes for subatomic

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Browse Nearby Words

subatmospheric
subatomic
subaudible
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Cite this Entry

“Subatomic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subatomic. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

subatomic

adjective
sub·​atom·​ic ˌsəb-ə-ˈtäm-ik How to pronounce subatomic (audio)
1
: of or relating to the inside of the atom
2
: of, relating to, or being particles smaller than atoms
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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