molecule
nounUK /ˈmɒl.ɪ.kjuːl/ · US /ˈmɑ.lɪ.kjul/
Etymology Borrowed from French molécule, from New Latin molecula (“a molecule”), diminutive of Latin moles (“a mass”).
1
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences The smallest particle of a specific element or compound that retains the chemical properties of that element or compound; two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.
- Hydrogen chloride is a diatomic molecule, consisting of a hydrogen atom and a chlorine atom.
- The critical component of the photosynthetic system is the “water-oxidizing complex”, made up of manganese atoms and a calcium atom. This system splits water molecules and delivers some of their electrons to other molecules that help build up carbohydrates.2013 September-October, Katie L. Burke, “In the News”, in American Scientist, Sigma Xi, →OCLC, archived from the original on 03 Sep 2013:
1 more example
- Clinical trials testing the molecule in humans have been underway for three years, Sinclair said.2022 June 2, Sandee LaMotte, “The ‘Benjamin Button’ effect: Scientists can reverse aging in mice. The goal is to do the same for humans”, in CNN:
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A tiny amount.
- Synonyms
- molecule
- Derived terms
29 terms
antimolecule, astromolecule, bimolecule, biomolecule, cell adhesion molecule, cell-adhesion molecule, fuel molecule, giant molecule, glycomolecule, God molecule, gram molecule, immunomolecule, metamolecule, micromolecule, molfile, nanomolecule, phytomolecule, polycule, polymolecule, protomolecule, pseudomolecule, quasimolecule, Rydberg molecule, single-molecule magnet, small molecule drug, spirit molecule, submolecule, supermolecule, supramolecule- Related terms
- molecular, chemical compound
- Hypernyms
- composite particle
- Hyponyms
- macromolecule, monomer, polymer
- Meronyms
- atom