molecular sieve

noun

: a crystalline substance (such as a zeolite) characterized by uniformly sized pores of molecular dimension that can adsorb small molecules and is used especially in separations

Examples of molecular sieve in a Sentence

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So the researchers combined it with a molecular sieve of zinc oxide as well as a membrane that blocks water molecules present in the breath. New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of molecular sieve was in 1869

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Cite this Entry

“Molecular sieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molecular%20sieve. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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