molecular weight

noun Chemistry.

the average weight of a molecule of an element or compound measured in units once based on the weight of one hydrogen atom taken as the standard or on 1/16 (0.0625) the weight of an oxygen atom, but after 1961 based on 1/12 (0.083) the weight of the carbon-12 atom; the sum of the atomic weights of all the atoms in a molecule. Abbreviation: mol. wt.

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Also called formula weight.

Origin of molecular weight

First recorded in 1875–80

Words nearby molecular weight

molecular rotation, molecular sieve, molecular spectrum, molecular surgery, molecular volume, molecular weight, molecularity, molecule, molehill, moleskin, moleskins
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for molecular weight

molecular weight

noun

the former name for relative molecular mass
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

Medical definitions for molecular weight

molecular weight

n.

The sum of the atomic weights of all the atoms in a molecule.formula weight
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for molecular weight

molecular weight

The sum of the atomic weights of the atoms contained in a molecule. Also called relative molecular mass
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for molecular weight

molecular weight
[ (muh-lek-yuh-luhr) ]

The sum of the atomic weights of all the atoms in a molecule.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.