covalent bond

American  

[koh-vey-luhnt bond] / ˈkoʊˌveɪ lənt ˈbɒnd /

noun

Chemistry.

1. the bond formed by the sharing of a pair of electrons by two atoms.

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covalent bond British  

noun

1. a type of chemical bond involving the sharing of electrons between atoms in a molecule, esp the sharing of a pair of electrons by two adjacent atoms

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covalent bond Scientific  

/ kō-vā′lənt /

1. A chemical bond formed when electrons are shared between two atoms. Usually each atom contributes one electron to form a pair of electrons that are shared by both atoms.

2. See more at coordinate bond double bond polar bond

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covalent bond Cultural  

1. A chemical bond in which two atoms share some of their valence electrons, thereby creating a force that holds the atoms together.

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Discover More

Many molecules in living systems are held together by covalent bonds.

Etymology

Origin of covalent bond

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

In both cases, the enzymes form a strong, covalent bond with the carrier material, which can't be dissociated.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2023

Azide groups form a robust covalent bond with graphite through a chemical reaction facilitated by ultraviolet light, ensuring the structural integrity of graphite during its expansion and contraction.

From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2023

Since the bonding atoms are identical, Cl2 also features a pure covalent bond.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

The mutual attraction between this negatively charged electron pair and the two atoms’ positively charged nuclei serves to physically link the two atoms through a force we define as a covalent bond.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

We, in brilliant contrast, are completely organized structures, squirming with information at every covalent bond.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas