molecule

[mol-uh-kyool]

noun

1. Chemistry, Physics.,  the smallest physical unit of an element or compound, consisting of one or more like atoms in an element and two or more different atoms in a compound.

2. Chemistry.,  a quantity of a substance, the weight of which, measured in any chosen unit, is numerically equal to the molecular weight; gram molecule.

3. any very small particle.

molecule

/ ˈmɒlɪˌkjuːl /

noun

1. the simplest unit of a chemical compound that can exist, consisting of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds

2. a very small particle

molecule

1. A group of two or more atoms linked together by sharing electrons in a chemical bond. Molecules are the fundamental components of chemical compounds and are the smallest part of a compound that can participate in a chemical reaction.

molecule

1. A combination of two or more atoms held together by a force between them. (See covalent bond and ionic bond.)

Other Word Forms

• submolecule noun
• supermolecule noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of molecule¹

First recorded in 1785–95; earlier molecula, from New Latin, from Latin mōlē(s) “mass” ( molar ² ( def. ) ) + -cula -cule ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of molecule¹

C18: via French from New Latin mōlēcula, diminutive of Latin mōlēs mass, _mole ⁴

Example Sentences

Researchers at the University of Bath, in collaboration with the Universities of Oxford and Bristol, have developed a molecule that prevents the clumping and build-up of a protein linked to Parkinson's disease and related dementias.

Read more on Science Daily

The three scientists' work is about how molecules can be built together into structures.

Read more on BBC

Collagen is a large molecule so companies have now started to break it up into smaller pieces - collagen peptides - otherwise known as hydrolysed collagen.

Read more on BBC

A common bacterium was genetically engineered to eat a plastic-derived molecule and then digest it to produce the everyday painkiller, paracetamol.

Read more on BBC

If you have too high of a concentration of salt or sugar in your recipe, it could basically steal that water molecule and prevent the yeast from doing its job.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• fragment 
• particle