at·om
 atom
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- pronunciation:
- ae
t
m
- features:
- Word History, Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
Atoms are very tiny things in the universe. We cannot see them with our eyes, but they make up everything around us and in space. Chemical elements, which are the building blocks of all substances, are made up of atoms. Some chemical elements that you may know are gold, copper, helium, oxygen, mercury, and lead. Each of these elements is made up of a different kind of atom.
A piece of pure gold is made up of many, many tiny atoms of gold, and nothing else. |
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Atom is from an ancient Greek word that means "not able to be cut or divided."