Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 N‑UNCOUNT Athletics refers to track and field sports such as running, the high jump, and the javelin. [mainly BRIT ] □  As the modern Games grew in stature, so too did athletics. in AM, use track and field 2 N‑UNCOUNT Athletics refers to any kind of physical sports, exercise, or games. [AM ] □  …students who play intercollegiate athletics.

SUFFIX -ation

forms nouns that refer to a state or process, or to an instance of that process. For example, formation is the process of forming something.

atishoo /ət I ʃuː/ Atishoo is used, especially in writing, to represent the sound that you make when you sneeze.

at|las /æ tləs/ (atlases ) N‑COUNT An atlas is a book of maps.

ATM /e I tiː e m/ (ATMs ) N‑COUNT An ATM is a machine built into the wall of a bank or other building, which allows people to take out money from their bank account by using a special card. ATM is an abbreviation for 'automated teller machine'. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, use cash dispenser

at|mos|phere ◆◇◇ /æ tməsf I ə ^r / (atmospheres )

1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A planet's atmosphere is the layer of air or other gases around it. □  …dangerous levels of pollution in the Earth's atmosphere.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The atmosphere of a place is the air that you breathe there. □ [+ of ] These gases pollute the atmosphere of towns and cities.

3 N‑SING The atmosphere of a place is the general impression that you get of it. □ [+ of ] There's still an atmosphere of great hostility and tension in the city.

4 N‑UNCOUNT If a place or an event has atmosphere , it is interesting. □  The old harbour is still full of atmosphere and well worth visiting. SYNONYMS atmosphere NOUN 3

feel:The room has a warm, cosy feel.

mood:First set the mood with music.

ambience:The overall ambience of the room is cosy. COLLOCATIONS atmosphere NOUN 3

noun + atmosphere : carnival, festival, party; village

adjective + atmosphere : convivial, friendly, intimate, relaxed; electric, incredible; febrile, hostile, tense

verb + atmosphere : create

at|mos|pher|ic /æ tməsfe r I k/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Atmospheric is used to describe something which relates to the Earth's atmosphere. □  …atmospheric gases. □  …atmospheric pressure.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a place or a piece of music as atmospheric , you like it because it has a particular quality which is interesting or exciting and makes you feel a particular emotion. [APPROVAL ]

a t|mo|spher|ic pre s|sure N‑UNCOUNT Atmospheric pressure is the pressure of the atmosphere on the Earth's surface.

at|mos|pher|ics /æ tməsfe r I ks/ N‑PLURAL Atmospherics are elements in something such as a piece of music or a book which create a certain atmosphere. □  …Dickensian atmospherics.

at|oll /æ tɒl, [AM ] -tɔːl/ (atolls ) N‑COUNT An atoll is a ring of coral rock, or a group of coral islands surrounding a lagoon.

atom /æ təm/ (atoms ) N‑COUNT An atom is the smallest amount of a substance that can take part in a chemical reaction.

atom|ic /ətɒ m I k/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Atomic means relating to power that is produced from the energy released by splitting atoms. □  …atomic energy. □  …atomic weapons.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Atomic means relating to the atoms of substances.

ato m|ic bo mb (atomic bombs ) The form atom bomb is also used, mainly in British English. N‑COUNT An atomic bomb or an atom bomb is a bomb that causes an explosion by a sudden release of energy that results from splitting atoms.

aton|al /e I toʊ n ^ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Atonal music is music that is not written or played in any key or system of scales.

atone /ətoʊ n/ (atones , atoning , atoned ) VERB If you atone for something that you have done, you do something to show that you are sorry you did it. [FORMAL ] □ [V + for ] He felt he had atoned for what he had done to his son.