ligand
Americannoun
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Biochemistry. a molecule, as an antibody, hormone, or drug, that binds to a receptor.
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Chemistry. a molecule, ion, or atom that is bonded to the central metal atom of a coordination compound.
noun
Etymology
Origin of ligand
1945–50; < Latin ligandus, gerund of ligāre to bind, tie
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.
Both Ligand and Xoma are known as royalty aggregators for investing in drugs while they are in development and then, if they work out, collecting royalties from their sales.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026
Brought in by raider Dan Loeb, Ligand CEO John Higgins cut headcount from 365 to 18, where it remains today.
From Forbes • Jul. 1, 2015
Ligand and G protein are shown as a brown and blue ellipse, respectively.
From Nature • Feb. 13, 2013
Shares of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc, a small biotech firm that contributed to Kyprolis and would receive royalties from its sales, were up 1.8 percent at $17.85.
From Reuters • Jul. 20, 2012
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, which stands to receive royalties from sales of the drug, gained 7.7 percent.
From New York Times • Jun. 21, 2012
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.
