functional group

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noun

a group of atoms responsible for the characteristic behavior of the class of compounds in which the group occurs, as the hydroxyl group in alcohols.

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Origin of functional group

First recorded in 1935–40

Words nearby functional group

functional, functional analysis, functional calculus, functional disease, functional food, functional group, functional illiterate, functional imperative, functionalism, functional isomer, functionalist

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use functional group in a sentence

I would say it is across the board, but it seems to be more acute in that middle range–skilled people in finance and functional groups as well as technical teams.
Amid a Booming Demand for Lithium, Labor Shortages Are Only 'Getting Started,' According to Albemarle's CEO|Eben Shapiro|July 25, 2021|Time
Before anti-vaxxers, there were anti-fluoriders: a group who spread fear about the anti-tooth decay agent added to drinking water.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
Asian-Americans are a group of persuadable swing voters, growing faster than any other group in America today.
Asian-Americans Are The New Florida|Tim Mak|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Latinos, the fastest growing minority group in America, are even more underrepresented in Congress.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Congress|Dean Obeidallah|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Yet only 24 percent of the 3,892 femicides the group identified in 2012 and 2013 were looked at by authorities.
Why Mexicans Are Enraged by Obama’s Big Tuesday Meeting|Ruben Navarrette Jr.|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Though tissues are present and tears are not uncommon, the Dinner Parties are distinctly not grief counseling or group therapy.
Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone|Samantha Levine|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It is low in chronic interstitial nephritis, diabetes insipidus, and many functional nervous disorders.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Fully two miles away, on the south side of the ravine, were the sepoy lines, and another group of isolated bungalows.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
An estimation of the solids, therefore, furnishes an important clue to the functional efficiency of the kidneys.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
By far the most important of the conjugate sulphates and representative of the group is potassium indoxyl sulphate.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Louis could not help seeing the lovely group, through the half-obscuring draperies of the open door.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

British Dictionary definitions for functional group

functional group

noun

chem the group of atoms in a compound, such as the hydroxyl group in an alcohol, that determines the chemical behaviour of the compound

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

Scientific definitions for functional group

functional group

An atom or group of atoms that replaces hydrogen in an organic compound. Functional groups define the structure of a family of compounds and determine its properties. The carboxyl and hydroxyl groups are functional groups that define the compounds they are part of as organic acids and alcohols, respectively.