diatomic

[dahy-uh-tom-ik]

adjective Chemistry.

having two atoms in the molecule.
containing two replaceable atoms or groups; binary.

Origin of diatomic

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

Related formsdi·at·o·mic·i·ty

[dahy-at-uh-mis-i-tee] /ˌdaɪ æt əˈmɪs ɪ ti/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for diatomic

Historical Examples of diatomic

Hence it may be inferred that this value is typical for diatomic molecules.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1
Various

British Dictionary definitions for diatomic

diatomic

adjective

((of a compound or molecule))
1. containing two atoms
2. containing two characteristic groups or atomsethylene glycol is a diatomic alcohol

Derived Formsdiatomicity (ˌdaɪætəˈmɪsɪtɪ), noun

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

diatomic in Medicine

diatomic

[dī′ə-tŏm′ĭk]

adj.

Made up of two atoms.