Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

empirical formula

noun

Definition of empirical formula

: a chemical formula showing the simplest ratio of elements in a compound rather than the total number of atoms in the molecule
  • CH2O is the empirical formula for glucose

See empirical formula defined for kids

First Known Use of empirical formula

1837

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

empirical formula

noun

medical Definition of empirical formula

: a chemical formula showing the simplest ratio of elements in a compound rather than the total number of atoms in the molecule
  • CH2O is the empirical formula for glucose
— compare molecular formula

Learn More about empirical formula

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about empirical formula

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up empirical formula? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

quail

play

to recoil in dread or terror

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  2. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  3. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  4. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

  5. suborn 'to induce to commit perjury'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

empirical formula

Test Your Vocabulary

Name More Food!

  • red-fruit
  • Name that Fruit!
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games