molecular

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adjective mo·lec·u·lar \ mə-ˈle-kyə-lər \

Definition of molecular

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

play \-lē\ adverb

See molecular defined for kids

Recent Examples of molecular from the Web

A 1967 graduate of Maine South, Dr. Susan Lindquist was a molecular biologist, professor and researcher.

— jennifer johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Park Ridge news briefs: Oncologist, molecular biologist named to Maine South's alumni Wall of Honor," 28 Aug. 2017
Doudna, a UC Berkeley molecular biologist, said during a visit to San Diego this week that society needs to catch up to this potentially world-transforming field of science.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "CRISPR star Jennifer Doudna calls for public debate on embryo editing," 31 July 2017
Their choices show Miami’s range, from fine Peruvian to innovative Thai, from Nashville-style hot chicken to molecular gastronomy.

— carlos frías, miamiherald, "Miami’s expert-level eaters tell you where to eat during Miami Spice," 25 July 2017
In other research, Jones determined how stem cells use two molecular pathways to guide their growth into mature cells.

— gary robbins, latimes.com, "Female scientists at Salk Institute claim gender discrimination, 'old boys club'," 14 July 2017
Several diseases have common denominator The downward spiral that brought Alice to this point began with subtle molecular changes in her brain.

— mark johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "In tracking a lethal family of diseases that threatens humans and animals, scientists have become the hunters," 6 July 2017
The new molecular method allows thousands of the long DNA strands that make up genes to be isolated and cloned at the same time.

— meredith cohn, baltimoresun.com, "Hopkins joins gene cloning project to advance medicine development," 5 July 2017
Physicians can now blend standard data like age, race, and medical history, along with molecular data like the composition and amount of a person’s eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that mediates asthma attacks.

— vann r. newkirk ii, The Atlantic, "How to Beat Asthma," 5 July 2017
OBOGS provides aircrew with oxygen by taking bleed-air from the aircraft engine, filtering it through a molecular sieve material to remove nitrogen and other gases, and producing breathable-grade oxygen.

— eric tegler, Popular Mechanics, "Hypoxia Threatens Navy and Air Force Pilots, and the Threat Is Growing," 25 June 2017

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

First Known Use of molecular

1770

MOLECULAR Defined for Kids

molecular

play

adjective mo·lec·u·lar \ mə-ˈle-kyə-lər \

Definition of molecular for Students

:of or relating to a molecule

molecular structure

Medical Dictionary

molecular

play

adjective mo·lec·u·lar \ mə-ˈlek-yə-lər \

medical Definition of molecular

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 ³molar 2

—

molecularity

play \-ˌlek-yə-ˈlar-ət-ē\ noun plural -ties

—

molecularly

play \mə-ˈlek-yə-lər-lē\ adverb

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molecular

Definition of molecular

molecularly

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molecular

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molecular

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molecularly

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