molecule

noun

mol·​e·​cule ˈmä-li-ˌkyül 

1

: the smallest particle of a substance that retains all the properties (see property sense 1a) of the substance and is composed of one or more atoms (see atom sense 1a)

a molecule of water

a molecule of oxygen

2

: a tiny bit : particle

a molecule of political honesty

—Time

Synonyms

• atom
• bit
• crumb
• dribble
• fleck
• flyspeck
• grain
• granule
• morsel
• mote
• nubbin
• nugget
• particle
• patch
• scrap
• scruple
• snip
• snippet
• speck
• tittle

Examples of molecule in a Sentence

There is not a molecule of evidence to support these charges.

not a molecule of sense in that girl

Recent Examples on the Web

But once a tree gets taller than that, the tension on all those water molecules isn’t strong enough to hold it together. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024

Their process involved taking molecules called silyl (pseudo) halides and treating them with a source of fluoride, removing elements from the former leave an anti-Bredt olefin behind. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

This discovery has now helped the team recover preserved RNA molecules and get a complete genetic readout of the Tasmanian tiger. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

The first cells probably relied instead on simpler lipids, possibly molecules known as fatty acids. —Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French molécule, from New Latin molecula, diminutive of Latin moles mass

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

molecule

noun

mol·​e·​cule ˈmäl-i-ˌkyü(ə)l 

1

: the smallest particle of a substance having all the characteristics of the substance

a molecule of water

a molecule of oxygen

2

: a very small bit : particle

Medical Definition

molecule

noun

mol·​e·​cule ˈmäl-i-ˌkyü(ə)l 

: the smallest particle of a substance that retains all the properties of the substance and is composed of one or more atoms