polyatomic

American  

[pol-ee-uh-tom-ik] / ˌpɒl i əˈtɒm ɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. pertaining to a molecule containing more than two atoms.

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polyatomic British  

/ ˌpɒlɪəˈtɒmɪk /

adjective

1. (of a molecule) containing more than two atoms

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Etymology

Origin of polyatomic

First recorded in 1855–60; poly- + atomic

Example Sentences

Understanding how many atoms move and interact inside laser-driven polyatomic molecules is essential for any attempt to guide chemical reactions using intense light.

From Science Daily

For example, electrons or polyatomic gases in a magnetic field do behave this way.

From Science Daily

In common with many other polyatomic open-chain alcohols, they generally possess a characteristic sweet, or mildly sweetish, taste.

From Project Gutenberg

All such monosaccharides, being alcohol-aldehydes, can easily be reduced to the corresponding polyatomic alcohols, containing the same number of carbon atoms as the original monosaccharides, each with one OH group attached to it.

From Project Gutenberg

All the other hexoses, whose structure is shown on pages 37 and 38, occur in plants only as constituents of the more complex saccharides, in glucoside-formations, or as the corresponding polyatomic alcohols.

From Project Gutenberg