ligand

American  

[lahy-guhnd, lig-uhnd] / ˈlaɪ gənd, ˈlɪg ənd /

noun

1. Biochemistry. a molecule, as an antibody, hormone, or drug, that binds to a receptor.

2. Chemistry. a molecule, ion, or atom that is bonded to the central metal atom of a coordination compound.

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ligand British  

/ ˈlaɪ-, ˈlɪɡənd /

noun

1. chem an atom, molecule, radical, or ion forming a complex with a central atom

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Etymology

Origin of ligand

1945–50; < Latin ligandus, gerund of ligāre to bind, tie

Example Sentences

Ligand, of Jupiter, Fla., has rights to drugs like kidney-disease treatment Filspari and the Merck vaccine Capvaxive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Higgins wasn’t some scientist-turned-empire builder trying to make Ligand into the next Amgen or Genentech.

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