Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for diatomic. Search instead for dystomic.

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

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.

See Examples For:

"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

The bond energy for a diatomic molecule, DX–Y, is defined as the standard enthalpy change for the endothermic reaction:

From Textbooks Feb. 14, 2019

Solid potassium chlorate, KClO3, decomposes to form solid potassium chloride and diatomic oxygen gas.

From Textbooks Feb. 14, 2019

Finally, the magnesium chloride is melted and electrolyzed to yield liquid magnesium metal and diatomic chlorine gas.

From Textbooks Feb. 14, 2019

For a diatomic gas, the molecular heat would be nearly five calories, or the atomic heat of a gas in the diatomic state would be 2.5.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 1 "Calhoun" to "Camoens" by Various

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training