molecule

noun

mol·​e·​cule ˈmä-li-ˌkyül How to pronounce molecule (audio)
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 honestyTime

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With these observations, the researchers identified the presence of carbon monoxide molecules as well as water vapor in the atmosphere of the exoplanet. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025 Green Molecules Will Emerge as the Building Blocks of the Future In 2025, investments in green molecule production, including green hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, and synthetic fuels, will grow significantly, driven by policy support and private funding. Sarwant Singh, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 In our present work, the molecules are held firmly in place in a crystal, which templates the formation of a mechanical bond around each one. Michael Franco, New Atlas, 17 Jan. 2025 After Catalog did the encoding, the DNA molecules were dried into a powder and shipped to France, where biological storage firm Imagene packaged the molecules into stainless steel capsules with an inert internal atmosphere, meaning there is no oxygen or moisture inside. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for molecule 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of molecule was in 1701

Dictionary Entries Near molecule

Cite this Entry

“Molecule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molecule. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

molecule

noun
mol·​e·​cule ˈmäl-i-ˌkyü(ə)l How to pronounce molecule (audio)
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 How to pronounce molecule (audio)
: the smallest particle of a substance that retains all the properties of the substance and is composed of one or more atoms

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