ligand

American

[lahy-guhnd, lig-uhnd] / ˈlaɪ gənd, ˈlɪg ənd /

noun

Biochemistry. a molecule, as an antibody, hormone, or drug, that binds to a receptor.
Chemistry. a molecule, ion, or atom that is bonded to the central metal atom of a coordination compound.

ligand British

/ ˈlaɪ-, ˈlɪɡənd /

noun

chem an atom, molecule, radical, or ion forming a complex with a central atom

"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

Etymology

Origin of ligand

1945–50; < Latin ligandus, gerund of ligāre to bind, tie

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.

By examining evolutionary relationships between uracil sensors and related sensory domains, the team found that ligand specificity can change relatively easily over time.

From Science Daily • Feb. 8, 2026

"I'm excited to see the ligand design pay off in such a meaningful way," said Wedal.

From Science Daily • Feb. 3, 2026

During infections, the body naturally produces this ligand, but cancer cells do not.

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2026

The team suspected that choosing the correct ligand might unlock reactivity with alkyl ketones.

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2025

The key is the ligand — that’s the general word for whatever chemical messenger or signaling molecule attaches to the receptor, activating it.

From Salon • Jan. 24, 2025

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023