monad

American  

[mon-ad, moh-nad] / ˈmɒn æd, ˈmoʊ næd /

noun

1. Biology.

   1. any simple, single-celled organism.

   2. any of various small, flagellate, colorless ameboids with one to three flagella, especially of the genus Monas.

2. Chemistry. an element, atom, or group having a valence of one.

3. Philosophy.

   1. (in the metaphysics of Leibniz) an unextended, indivisible, and indestructible entity that is the basic or ultimate constituent of the universe and a microcosm of it.

   2. (in the philosophy of Giordano Bruno) a basic and irreducible metaphysical unit that is spatially and psychically individuated.

   3. any basic metaphysical entity, especially having an autonomous life.

4. a single unit or entity.

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monad British  

/ ˈmɒnæd, ˈməʊ- /

noun

1. philosophy

   1. any fundamental singular metaphysical entity, esp if autonomous

   2. (in the metaphysics of Leibnitz) a simple indestructible nonspatial element regarded as the unit of which reality consists

   3. (in the pantheistic philosophy of Giordano Bruno) a fundamental metaphysical unit that is spatially extended and psychically aware

2. a single-celled organism, esp a flagellate protozoan

3. an atom, ion, or radical with a valency of one

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Other Word Forms

• monadal
  adjective
• monadic
  adjective
• monadical
  adjective
• monadically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of monad

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin monad- (stem of monas), from Greek monás (stem monád- ) “unity, monad”; see mon-, -ad ¹

Example Sentences

Blockchain startup Monad will be the first project to offer its token through the platform next week.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 10, 2025

The area, called Monad Shoal, is near important habitat for endangered thresher sharks.

From National Geographic • Jun. 23, 2016

Several of these "cleaning stations" are used by the sharks around Monad Shoal.

From National Geographic • Jun. 23, 2016

The Belle Rose hit Monad Shoal in June, damaging a protected reef.

From National Geographic • Jun. 23, 2016

Into one love to be gathered, many in number, according to the unity of the essence of the Monad, let us hasten.

From The Conflict of Religions in the Early Roman Empire by Glover, T. R. (Terrot Reaveley)