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molecule
[ mol-uh-kyool ]
/ ˈmɒl əˌkyul /
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noun
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.
Chemistry. a quantity of a substance, the weight of which, measured in any chosen unit, is numerically equal to the molecular weight; gram molecule.
any very small particle.
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Origin of molecule
OTHER WORDS FROM molecule
sub·mol·e·cule, nounsu·per·mol·e·cule, nounWords nearby molecule
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use molecule in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for molecule
molecule
/ (ˈmɒlɪˌkjuːl) /
noun
the simplest unit of a chemical compound that can exist, consisting of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds
a very small particle
Word Origin for molecule
C18: via French from New Latin mōlēcula, diminutive of Latin mōlēs mass, mole 4
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 molecule
molecule
[ mŏl′ĭ-kyōōl′ ]
n.
The smallest particle into which an element or a compound can be divided without changing its chemical and physical properties; a group of atoms that is held together chemically.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for molecule
molecule
[ mŏl′ĭ-kyōōl′ ]
A group of two or more atoms linked together by sharing electrons in a chemical bond. Molecules are the fundamental components of chemical compounds and are the smallest part of a compound that can participate in a chemical reaction.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for molecule
molecule
[ (mol-uh-kyoohl) ]
A combination of two or more atoms held together by a force between them. (See covalent bond and ionic bond.)
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.