monomer
[ mon-uh-mer ]
/ ˈmɒn ə mər /
Save This Word!
noun Chemistry.
a molecule of low molecular weight capable of reacting with identical or different molecules of low molecular weight to form a polymer.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Meet Grammar Coach
Improve Your Writing
OTHER WORDS FROM monomer
mon·o·mer·ic [mon-uh-mer-ik], /ˌmɒn əˈmɛr ɪk/, adjectiveWords nearby monomer
monologue, monology, monomania, monomark, monomelic, monomer, monomeric, monomerous, monometallic, monometallism, monometer
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for monomer
Simply dunking the plastic in an acid solution with a pH of 1 or 2 is enough to break the bonds between its monomer building blocks.
Chemists are reimagining recycling to keep plastics out of landfills|Maria Temming|January 27, 2021|Science NewsThe molecules that make up plastics are called polymers, which are made of smaller monomers.
Chemists are reimagining recycling to keep plastics out of landfills|Maria Temming|January 27, 2021|Science NewsLab-made polymers often string together monomers that repeat over and over.
Thousands or even tens of thousands of monomers connect to form a polymer.
British Dictionary definitions for monomer
monomer
/ (ˈmɒnəmə) /
noun
chem a compound whose molecules can join together to form a polymer
Derived forms of monomer
monomeric (ˌmɒnəˈmɛrɪk), adjectiveCollins 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 monomer
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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for monomer
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.