hydrogen bond

American  

noun

1. a type of chemical bond in which a hydrogen atom that has a covalent link with one of the electronegative atoms (F, N, O) forms an electrostatic link with another electronegative atom in the same or another molecule.

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hydrogen bond British  

noun

1. a weak chemical bond between an electronegative atom, such as fluorine, oxygen, or nitrogen, and a hydrogen atom bound to another electronegative atom. Hydrogen bonds are responsible for the properties of water and many biological molecules

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hydrogen bond Scientific  

1. A chemical bond formed between an electropositive atom (typically hydrogen) and a strongly electronegative atom, such as oxygen or nitrogen. Hydrogen bonds are responsible for the bonding of water molecules in liquid and solid states, and are weaker than covalent and ionic bonds.

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Etymology

Origin of hydrogen bond

First recorded in 1920–25

Compare meaning

How does hydrogen-bond compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hydrogen bond vs. ionic bond

Example Sentences

So when a molecule of water has the opportunity to hydrogen bond with something, it will.

From Scientific American • Aug. 16, 2023

“I can close my eyes and tell you, ‘Aha, there’s a protein-to-water hydrogen bond that just formed,” he said as the track played out.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2023

That’s the hydrogen bond for you ladies — a chemical reminder that if things are too good to be true, they probably are.”

From Washington Post • Apr. 5, 2022

The attraction between a hydrogen atom with a partial positive charge and an atom with a partial negative charge in another molecule creates a hydrogen bond.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2018

The formation of a third hydrogen bond between guanine and cytosine was considered, but rejected because a crystallographic study of guanine hinted that it would be very weak.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson