monomer

[mon-uh-mer]

noun Chemistry.

a molecule of low molecular weight capable of reacting with identical or different molecules of low molecular weight to form a polymer.

Origin of monomer

First recorded in 1910–15; mono- + -mer

Related formsmon·o·mer·ic

[mon-uh-mer-ik] /ˌmɒn əˈmɛr ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for monomer

monomer

noun

chem a compound whose molecules can join together to form a polymer

Derived Formsmonomeric (ˌmɒnəˈmɛrɪk), adjective

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

Word Origin and History for monomer

1914, from mono- + Greek meros "part" (see merit (n.)). Related: Monomerous.

monomer in Medicine

monomer

[mŏn′ə-mər]

n.

The molecular unit that joins with similar units to form a polymer.

The protein structural unit of a virion capsid.

The subunit of a protein composed of several such units loosely associated with one another.

monomer in Science

monomer

[mŏn′ə-mər]

A molecule that can combine with others of the same kind to form a polymer. Glucose molecules, for example, are monomers that can combine to form the polymer cellulose. Polymers can also be composed of different kinds of monomers.