Why do many dictionary definitions define atheism as a belief that no god exists, when we just aren't convinced a god does exist?

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Historically, it was nonsensical for someone to claim they don’t believe in something without proffering an alternative belief that they did believe in. People sensibly understood that no one has all the answers, so every position anyone took could be classified as a belief.

Atheism looked extremely similar to other positions on deity and the supernatural, so people of the day just lumped them all together.

There’s no real reason to change the dictionary definitions nowadays, because atheists have yet to really differentiate their philosophical position from that of belief. As they say, “nothing new under the sun.”

Just because you don’t identify a certain way doesn’t mean the establishment can’t or shouldn’t describe you that way if that fits their already-established understandings. It’s their dictionary, not yours. Make your own dictionary if you don’t like it. If Charlie Manson decided he doesn’t identify as a murderer, does that mean that you have to accept it?