monad

[ mon-ad, moh-nad ]

/ ˈmɒn æd, ˈmoʊ næd /

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noun

Biology.

any simple, single-celled organism.
any of various small, flagellate, colorless ameboids with one to three flagella, especially of the genus Monas.

Chemistry. an element, atom, or group having a valence of one.Compare dyad (def. 3), triad (def. 2a).

Philosophy.

(in the metaphysics of Leibniz) an unextended, indivisible, and indestructible entity that is the basic or ultimate constituent of the universe and a microcosm of it.
(in the philosophy of Giordano Bruno) a basic and irreducible metaphysical unit that is spatially and psychically individuated.
any basic metaphysical entity, especially having an autonomous life.

a single unit or entity.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of monad

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin monad- (stem of monas), from Greek monás (stem monád- ) “unity, monad”; see mon-, -ad¹

OTHER WORDS FROM monad

mo·nad·ic

[muh-nad-ik], /məˈnæd ɪk/, mo·nad·i·cal, mo·nad·al, adjectivemo·nad·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby monad

monachal, monachism, monacid, monacillo, Monaco, monad, monadelphous, monades, monadic, monadism, monadnock

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use monad in a sentence

The me is a monad, that is, an indivisible unity; of this there can be no doubt.
Fundamental Philosophy, Vol. I (of 2)|Jaime Luciano Balmes
From the monad proceeds an indefinite duad, which is subordinate to the monad as to its cause.
A History of Science, Volume 1(of 5)|Henry Smith Williams
Genius watches the monad through all his masks as he performs the metempsychosis of nature.
Essays, First Series|Ralph Waldo Emerson
In short, each monad is a little Leibniz for ever increasing the sum of its knowledge.
History of Modern Philosophy|Alfred William Benn

All this carbon has played its part, and many parts in its time, as animal existences from monad up to man.
Mistakes of Moses|Robert G. Ingersoll

British Dictionary definitions for monad

monad

/ (ˈmɒnæd, ˈməʊ-) /

noun

plural -ads or -ades (-əˌdiːz) philosophy

any fundamental singular metaphysical entity, esp if autonomous
(in the metaphysics of Leibnitz) a simple indestructible nonspatial element regarded as the unit of which reality consists
(in the pantheistic philosophy of Giordano Bruno) a fundamental metaphysical unit that is spatially extended and psychically aware

a single-celled organism, esp a flagellate protozoan

an atom, ion, or radical with a valency of one

Also called (for senses 1, 2): monas

Derived forms of monad

monadical, adjectivemonadically, adverb

Word Origin for monad

C17: from Late Latin monas, from Greek: unit, from monos alone

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

monad

Origin of monad

OTHER WORDS FROM monad

Words nearby monad

Words related to monad

How to use monad in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for monad

Derived forms of monad

Word Origin for monad