monomer
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of monomer
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Explanation
A monomer is a small molecule. When monomers connect to each other, they form a polymer, a chain of molecules. Imagine a set of beads that snap together, and you'll have a good idea of how monomers interlock. You can think of each monomer (which include fatty acids and amino acids) as a building block for larger molecules. The word monomer contains the Greek roots mono-, "one," and meros, "part."
Vocabulary lists containing monomer
Organic Chemistry
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Biochemistry
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Structure and Properties of Matter - High School
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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.
Perhaps others in the area have stumbled upon the mysterious flute man themselves, or can recall the smell of monomer from a nail salon at the Redlands Mall.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
To address these limitations, the team designed what they call a fluorescent monomer controlled synthesis strategy.
From Science Daily • Feb. 13, 2026
Each unit in the chain is called a monomer, and linking these monomers creates a polymer.
From Science Daily • Dec. 15, 2025
Although it is like normal polyethylene, its monomer comes from ethanol instead of fossil fuels like petroleum and natural gas.
From Salon • Nov. 17, 2023
Every other glucose monomer in cellulose is flipped over and packed tightly as extended long chains.
From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013
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.
