atomic clock

== English == === Pronunciation === === Noun === atomic clock (plural atomic clocks) An extremely accurate reference clock whose operation is based on an atomic process, typically the frequency of electromagnetic radiation associated with a specified energy-level transition in an element such as cesium. (proscribed) A radio clock. ==== Usage notes ==== The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, which operates the WWVB time broadcast, advises that referring to a clock not containing its own atomic oscillator as an "atomic clock" is technically incorrect and should be avoided. ==== Hypernyms ==== clock ==== Hyponyms ==== hydrogen maser atomic clock ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === atomic clock on Wikipedia.Wikipedia