nonpolar

American  

[non-poh-ler] / nɒnˈpoʊ lər /

adjective

Physical Chemistry.

1. containing no permanently dipolar molecules; lacking a dipole.

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Etymology

Origin of nonpolar

First recorded in 1890–95; non- + polar

Example Sentences

Polar and nonpolar molecules rarely mix, because polar molecules preferentially attract one another via electrostatic interactions.

From Science Daily • Oct. 17, 2025

He and his colleagues now believe their latest finding -- that certain polar and nonpolar substances* can combine under extreme cold -- could guide future research into the moon's surface and atmosphere.

From Science Daily • Oct. 17, 2025

The Atacama is the driest nonpolar desert on Earth.

From New York Times • Nov. 17, 2022

In 2000, Kellar Autumn, who leads a multi-institutional gecko research team, found that geckos adhered equally well to both polar silicon dioxide and nonpolar gallium arsenide.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

In general, stranding reports suggest that goosebeaked whales are sparsely but widely distributed in nonpolar latitudes.

From Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the Western North Atlantic A Guide to Their Identification by Caldwell, David