molecule
Americannoun
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Chemistry, Physics. the smallest physical unit of an element or compound, consisting of one or more like atoms in an element and two or more different atoms in a compound.
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Chemistry. a quantity of a substance, the weight of which, measured in any chosen unit, is numerically equal to the molecular weight; gram molecule.
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any very small particle.
noun
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the simplest unit of a chemical compound that can exist, consisting of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds
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a very small particle
Other Word Forms
- submolecule noun
- supermolecule noun
Etymology
Origin of molecule
First recorded in 1785–95; earlier molecula, from New Latin, from Latin mōlē(s) “mass” ( molar 2 ( def. ) ) + -cula -cule 1
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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.
The antibody developed by the team targets a sugar molecule called pseudaminic acid.
From Science Daily
It works by sending laser light into the body and detecting the sound waves produced when certain molecules absorb that light.
From Science Daily
In normal conditions, such as a glass of water, water molecules rarely break apart on their own because the process is discouraged by both energy and entropy.
From Science Daily
Instead of moving through an atmospheric layer in hours, a single molecule might take several weeks.
From Science Daily
The first molecule binds while the channel is closed, setting the stage for it to open.
From Science Daily
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
