hydrogen bond

noun

Definition of hydrogen bond

: an electrostatic attraction between a hydrogen atom in one polar molecule (as of water) and a small electronegative atom (as of oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine) in usually another molecule of the same or a different polar substance

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Examples of hydrogen bond in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Additionally, five mutations in the central helical region, N764K, D796Y, N856K, L981F, and N969K introduce and facilitate additional hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions between the S2 trimers (Figure 4). — William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 6 May 2022 But that modest change allows Z to form a triple hydrogen bond with T, which is more stable than the double bond that holds together A-T. — Quanta Magazine, 12 July 2021 Perhaps the most basic—and astonishing— of these concepts is the hydrogen bond, which holds together the literal stuff of life: water. — Meghan Herbst, Wired, 11 May 2021 The two main components of this body fluid are water and urea, a molecule that allows the hydrogen bonds to be broken and therefore reduces the viscosities of many aqueous mixtures. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 31 Mar. 2020 When water molecules come up against the abrupt transition to air, many can no longer find partners for all their hydrogen bonds. — Emily Underwood, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2020 The acid sucks up the water and creates weak hydrogen bonds, which briefly holds the materials together. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 1 Nov. 2019 In addition to the iron, zinc, and a mineral called lüneburgite, there are things like urea and a source of sulfur-hydrogen bonds. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 Oct. 2019 Inside the gel, a layer of water molecules bonded tightly to the PVA, each forming multiple chemical links known as hydrogen bonds. — Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, 28 June 2019 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hydrogen bond.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.