molecular

adjective

mo·​lec·​u·​lar mə-ˈle-kyə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, consisting of, or produced by molecules

molecular oxygen

2

: of or relating to individual or small components

a molecular view of the American Civil War

molecularly

mə-ˈle-kyə-lər-lē 

adverb

Examples of molecular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The tests were carried out digitally, through molecular experiments, and in mice. —Michael Franco, New Atlas, 26 Dec. 2024

Contributor Hannah Seo digs into the claims on a granular… nay, molecular level. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2024

For instance, a startup focused on drug discovery could utilize Willow's computational prowess to simulate molecular interactions more efficiently, potentially reducing the time and cost associated with bringing new medications to market. —Abdo Riani, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024

This particular image focuses on one of the three giant molecular cloud complexes, dubbed N79 South. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing molecular

• gram molecular weight
• molecular biology
• molecular chaperone
• molecular formula
• molecular genetics
• molecular mass
• molecular orbital
• molecular sieve
• molecular weight

Kids Definition

molecular

adjective

mo·​lec·​u·​lar mə-ˈlek-yə-lər 

: of, relating to, or produced by molecules

Medical Definition

molecular

adjective

mo·​lec·​u·​lar mə-ˈlek-yə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, consisting of, or produced by molecules

molecular oxygen

2

: relating to or emphasizing individual responses or structures of behavior

proceed by more and more detailed analysis to the molecular facts of perception

—G. A. Miller

compare molar entry 3 sense 2

molecularity

-ˌlek-yə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

noun

plural molecularities

molecularly

mə-ˈlek-yə-lər-lē 

adverb