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
Other Word Forms
- monatomically adverb
Etymology
Origin of monatomic
Vocabulary lists containing monatomic
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.
Read the labels of several commercial products and identify monatomic ions of at least six main group elements contained in the products.
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
The oxidation number of a monatomic ion is equal to the ion’s charge.
From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction.
From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019
The molecule of iodine, for example, is monatomic at 1200� C., but becomes diatomic at the ordinary temperature.
From The Mechanism of Life by Leduc, Stéphane
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.
