molecular formula

American

noun

Chemistry.

a chemical formula that indicates the kinds of atoms and the number of each kind in a molecule of a compound.

molecular formula British

noun

a chemical formula indicating the numbers and types of atoms in a molecule Compare empirical formula structural formula

H2SO4 is the molecular formula of sulphuric acid

"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

molecular formula Scientific

A chemical formula that shows the total number and kinds of atoms in a molecule, but not their structural arrangement. For example, the molecular formula of aspirin is C ₉ H ₈ O ₄.
Compare empirical formula structural formula

Etymology

Origin of molecular formula

First recorded in 1900–05

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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.

"It's capturing the actual molecular formula of space".

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

With a molecular formula of C17H24O7, the compound was found to feature a distinctive ribose moiety, identified as α-ribofuranoside through stereochemical analysis.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2024

Assuming ideal solution behavior, what is the molecular formula of fructose?

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Assuming ideal solution behavior, what is the molecular formula of the solute?

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

There is some doubt as to the molecular formula of fulminic acid.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various

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