n 1  :  a theory of the nature of matter: all material substances are composed of minute particles or atoms of a comparatively small number of kinds and all the atoms of the same kind are uniform in size, weight, and other properties - called also atomic hypothesis   2  :  any of several theories of the structure of the atom : esp  :  one based on experimentation and theoretical considerations holding that the atom is composed essentially of a small positively charged comparatively heavy nucleus surrounded by a comparatively large arrangement of electrons .
 
 
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2024.