monatomic
Americanadjective
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having one atom in the molecule.
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containing one replaceable atom or group.
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having a valence of one.
adjective
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(of an element) having or consisting of single atoms
argon is a monatomic gas
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(of a compound or molecule) having only one atom or group that can be replaced in a chemical reaction
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a less common word for monovalent
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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 noble gases are all monatomic, whereas the other nonmetal gases—hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, and chlorine—normally exist as the diatomic molecules H2, N2, O2, F2, and Cl2.
From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019
For example, the pure metalloids form covalent crystals like the nonmetals, but like the metals, they generally do not form monatomic anions.
From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019
All monatomic nonmetal ions are anions; examples include the chloride ion, Cl−, the nitride ion, N3−, and the selenide ion, Se2−.
From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019
Reinhardt, A. & Doye, J. P. K. Free energy landscapes for homogeneous nucleation of ice for a monatomic water model.
From Nature • Nov. 7, 2017
The cadmium molecule, as shown by determinations of the density of its vapour, is monatomic.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" by Various
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.
