Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

diatomic

American  
[dahy-uh-tom-ik] / ˌdaɪ əˈtɒm ɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.
  1. having two atoms in the molecule.

  2. containing two replaceable atoms or groups; binary.


diatomic British  
/ ˌdaɪætəˈmɪsɪtɪ, ˌdaɪəˈtɒmɪk /

adjective

    1. containing two atoms

    2. containing two characteristic groups or atoms

      ethylene glycol is a diatomic alcohol

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • diatomicity noun

Etymology

Origin of diatomic

First recorded in 1865–70; di- 1 + atomic

Vocabulary lists containing diatomic

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.

"We have systemically addressed the challenges in electro-biomanufacturing by identifying the metabolic and biochemical limits of diatomic carbon use and have overcome these limits."

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2024

We can describe the electronic structure of diatomic molecules by applying molecular orbital theory to the valence electrons of the atoms.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

In these diatomic molecules, several types of molecular orbitals occur.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Solid aluminum metal reacts with solid diatomic iodine to form solid Al2I6.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Hence it may be inferred that this value is typical for diatomic molecules.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various