electron pair
Americannoun
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Chemistry. two electrons occupying the same orbital in an atom or molecule; two electrons working together, especially forming a nonpolar covalent bond between atoms.
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Physics. an electron and a positron produced in a reaction, as by a high-energy photon.
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Two electrons functioning or regarded as functioning together, especially two electrons that form a covalent bond between atoms.
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An electron and a positron produced by a high-energy photon.
Etymology
Origin of electron pair
First recorded in 1930–35
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.
However, Cooper’s theory described only the formation of a single electron pair.
From Nature ● Oct. 7, 2019
The species donating the electron pair that compose the bond is a Lewis base, the species accepting the electron pair is a Lewis acid, and the product of the reaction is a Lewis acid-base adduct.
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
Ammonia acts as a Brønsted base because it readily accepts protons and as a Lewis base in that it has an electron pair to donate.
From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019
The ideal bond angles in a trigonal pyramid are based on the tetrahedral electron pair geometry.
From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
