: a group, ion, or molecule coordinated to a central atom or molecule in a complex
Examples of ligand in a Sentence
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Gold nanoclusters, which contain fewer than 100 atoms, are usually created by giving gold ions extra electrons while surrounding molecules called ligands keep them stable.
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Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
Many doctors will start with a class of drugs called alpha2-delta ligands, such as gabapentin or pregabalin, Koo said.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
The researchers then remove the mold and heat the arrays at 600 degrees C, breaking up the ligand molecules and freeing up carbon and oxygen atoms.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Dec. 2024
This heating process supplies enough energy to break the chemical bonds holding the ligand molecules together, so carbon and oxygen atoms are released.
—New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ligand
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Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
Many doctors will start with a class of drugs called alpha2-delta ligands, such as gabapentin or pregabalin, Koo said.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
The researchers then remove the mold and heat the arrays at 600 degrees C, breaking up the ligand molecules and freeing up carbon and oxygen atoms.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Dec. 2024
This heating process supplies enough energy to break the chemical bonds holding the ligand molecules together, so carbon and oxygen atoms are released.
—New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ligand
Cite this Entry
“Ligand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ligand. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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