monomer
Americannoun
noun
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Etymology
Origin of monomer
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Explanation
A monomer is a small molecule. When monomers connect to each other, they form a polymer, a chain of molecules. Imagine a set of beads that snap together, and you'll have a good idea of how monomers interlock. You can think of each monomer (which include fatty acids and amino acids) as a building block for larger molecules. The word monomer contains the Greek roots mono-, "one," and meros, "part."
Vocabulary lists containing monomer
Organic Chemistry
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Biochemistry
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Structure and Properties of Matter - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The polymer itself isn’t toxic, but its liquid predecessor — a monomer, essentially a bunch of single molecules — is.
From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026
The polymer itself isn’t toxic, but its liquid MMA predecessor — a monomer, essentially a bunch of single molecules — is.
From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026
In experiments, the team recycled the leftover carbon black and styrene monomer into polystyrene, demonstrating the circularity of the new method.
From Science Daily • Nov. 25, 2024
Applying the technique to post-consumer black plastic from food containers and coffee cup lids, the researchers cut the waste into small pieces and found that up to 53% of the polystyrene converted to styrene monomer.
From Science Daily • Nov. 25, 2024
Although it is like normal polyethylene, its monomer comes from ethanol instead of fossil fuels like petroleum and natural gas.
From Salon • Nov. 17, 2023
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
