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

/ ˈlɪɡənd, ˈlaɪ- /

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.

See Examples For:

ligand

"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

This includes suppressing the Wnt ligand Wnt4 and reducing downstream β-catenin activity.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 6, 2026

They expand clonally instead, aided by KIT ligand signals released from surrounding tissue and the epidermis.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 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