monomer

American  

[mon-uh-mer] / ˈmɒn ə mər /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a molecule of low molecular weight capable of reacting with identical or different molecules of low molecular weight to form a polymer.

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monomer British  

/ ˈmɒnəmə, ˌmɒnəˈmɛrɪk /

noun

1. chem a compound whose molecules can join together to form a polymer

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monomer Scientific  

/ mŏn′ə-mər /

1. A molecule that can combine with others of the same kind to form a polymer. Glucose molecules, for example, are monomers that can combine to form the polymer cellulose. Polymers can also be composed of different kinds of monomers.

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Other Word Forms

• monomeric adjective

Etymology

Origin of monomer

First recorded in 1910–15; mono- + -mer

Compare meaning

How does monomer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• monomer vs. polymer

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."

Example Sentences

Perhaps others in the area have stumbled upon the mysterious flute man themselves, or can recall the smell of monomer from a nail salon at the Redlands Mall.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

BCPs represent polymers constructed by linking blocks of one monomer with blocks of another.

From Science Daily • Jan. 22, 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

"We discovered that there are proteins that act like chaperones that bind to Vg1 and force it to remain as an inactive monomer," Dingal said.

From Science Daily • Nov. 9, 2023

Every other glucose monomer in cellulose is flipped over and packed tightly as extended long chains.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013