molecular

adjective

mo·​lec·​u·​lar mə-ˈle-kyə-lər 

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

mə-ˈle-kyə-lər-lē 

adverb

Examples of molecular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To distinguish between the historical remains of black and brown rats, the researchers used a molecular analysis protocol called ZooMS that identifies different species based on the amino acid makeup of collagen proteins inside bone. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2024

In the 1990s, a group of scientists used molecular analysis to show that skunks and polecats are in different subfamilies despite looking similar. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024

Circadian rhythms involve more than just the central clock in the brain, because every organ and tissue has its own molecular timekeepers, what scientists call peripheral clocks. —Will Stone, NPR, 29 Mar. 2024

Mol and others are trying to learn the molecular design rules that will make this possible. —IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2024

But unlike other cosmetic chemistry degree programs, Spelman's won't just be about ingredients and molecular sciences. —Marci Robin, Allure, 27 Mar. 2024

Still, the precise molecular mechanisms of development remained a mystery. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

And some molecular studies suggest that tumors in early-onset colorectal cancers do have different mutations driving the cancer compared with tumors in older adults. —Knvul Sheikh, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024

If successfully recovered, the material potentially may be able to reveal things that molecular information extracted from bones and teeth cannot, Morton-Hayward said. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing molecular

• gram molecular weight
• molecular biology
• molecular chaperone
• molecular formula
• molecular genetics
• molecular mass
• molecular orbital
• molecular sieve
• molecular weight

Kids Definition

molecular

adjective

mo·​lec·​u·​lar mə-ˈlek-yə-lər 

: of, relating to, or produced by molecules

Medical Definition

molecular

adjective

mo·​lec·​u·​lar mə-ˈlek-yə-lər 

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 molar entry 3 sense 2

molecularity

-ˌlek-yə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

noun

plural molecularities

molecularly

mə-ˈlek-yə-lər-lē 

adverb