disulfide
noun
di·sul·fide
(ˌ)dī-ˈsəl-ˌfīd 
1
: a compound containing two atoms of sulfur combined with an element or radical
2
: an organic compound containing the divalent group SS composed of two sulfur atoms
Examples of disulfide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Powered by the brand’s patented Bond Building Technology, this formula rebuilds disulfide bonds to strengthen the curl pattern and reduce breakage over time.
—
Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 26 June 2025
While the molecules identified on K2-18b by the April study — dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, and dimethyl disulfide, or DMDS — are associated largely with microbial organisms on our planet, scientists point out that the compounds can also form without the presence of life.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
That enzyme subsequently transforms a common protein byproduct into dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), a strong-smelling chemical that’s created when bacteria break down rotting flesh.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 8 May 2025
The molecules, dimethyl sulfide and potentially dimethyl disulfide, are typically made by marine phytoplankton on Earth.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
Their efforts uncovered the distinct molecular profiles of gases — dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, and dimethyl disulfide, or DMDS — that on Earth are generated by living organisms, suggesting the potential presence of microbial life, researchers said.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
But on Wednesday Madhusudhan and his team announced that a second JWST instrument had detected either the compound or a similar potential biosignature, dimethyl disulfide, with more confidence than the previous observations and at much higher levels than those in Earth’s atmosphere.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
Researchers detected chemical fingerprints of at least one, if not two, molecules—dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS)—in the atmosphere of K2-18b, a planet outside of our solar system, 124 light years away from Earth.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
The strands are held together by strong chemical bonds called disulfides, while the individual molecules are held together by much weaker hydrogen bonds.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
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Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 26 June 2025
While the molecules identified on K2-18b by the April study — dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, and dimethyl disulfide, or DMDS — are associated largely with microbial organisms on our planet, scientists point out that the compounds can also form without the presence of life.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
That enzyme subsequently transforms a common protein byproduct into dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), a strong-smelling chemical that’s created when bacteria break down rotting flesh.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 8 May 2025
The molecules, dimethyl sulfide and potentially dimethyl disulfide, are typically made by marine phytoplankton on Earth.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
Their efforts uncovered the distinct molecular profiles of gases — dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, and dimethyl disulfide, or DMDS — that on Earth are generated by living organisms, suggesting the potential presence of microbial life, researchers said.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
But on Wednesday Madhusudhan and his team announced that a second JWST instrument had detected either the compound or a similar potential biosignature, dimethyl disulfide, with more confidence than the previous observations and at much higher levels than those in Earth’s atmosphere.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
Researchers detected chemical fingerprints of at least one, if not two, molecules—dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS)—in the atmosphere of K2-18b, a planet outside of our solar system, 124 light years away from Earth.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
The strands are held together by strong chemical bonds called disulfides, while the individual molecules are held together by much weaker hydrogen bonds.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disulfide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disulfide. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
disulfide
noun
di·sul·fide
(ˈ)dī-ˈsəl-ˌfīd
: a compound containing two atoms of sulfur combined with an element or chemical group
Medical Definition
disulfide
noun
di·sul·fide
variants
or chiefly British disulphide
1
: a compound containing two atoms of sulfur combined with an element or radical
2
: an organic compound containing the bivalent group SS composed of two sulfur atoms
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