molecule

noun

mol·​e·​cule ˈmä-li-ˌkyül How to pronounce molecule (audio)
1
: the smallest particle of a substance that retains all the properties (see property sense 1a) of the substance and is composed of one or more atoms (see atom sense 1a)
a molecule of water
a molecule of oxygen
2
: a tiny bit : particle
a molecule of political honestyTime

Examples of molecule in a Sentence

There is not a molecule of evidence to support these charges. not a molecule of sense in that girl
Recent Examples on the Web But in 2022, Juno flew within 220 miles of the moon’s surface, measuring the hydrogen and oxygen molecules produced by the radiation. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024 That’s because micelles, or clusters of molecules that bind to dirt and oil, work by grabbing buildup off the skin (no harsh scrubbing needed). Jenna Ryu, SELF, 21 Feb. 2024 After the data has been written into the DNA, the molecule must be kept safe somewhere. IEEE Spectrum, 17 Feb. 2024 The telescope picked up on the signature of water molecules in one of the largest craters in the moon’s southern hemisphere in 2020. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 16 Feb. 2024 The new vaccine delivers tumor-targeting molecules directly into the lymph nodes. Jaimie Seaton, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2024 Water, which is composed of the first and third most common elements in the universe, is a deceptively simple molecule to form. Shannon Hall, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2024 Related article Webb telescope detects crucial molecule in space for the first time Asteroids are the leftovers from when the planets formed in our solar system. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 16 Feb. 2024 Researchers at Harvard and the University of Illinois at Chicago have created a new molecule that effectively vanquished multiple types of bacteria when tested in animals. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'molecule.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French molécule, from New Latin molecula, diminutive of Latin moles mass

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of molecule was in 1701

Dictionary Entries Near molecule

Cite this Entry

“Molecule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molecule. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

molecule

noun
mol·​e·​cule ˈmäl-i-ˌkyü(ə)l How to pronounce molecule (audio)
1
: the smallest particle of a substance having all the characteristics of the substance
a molecule of water
a molecule of oxygen
2
: a very small bit : particle

Medical Definition

molecule

noun
mol·​e·​cule ˈmäl-i-ˌkyü(ə)l How to pronounce molecule (audio)
: the smallest particle of a substance that retains all the properties of the substance and is composed of one or more atoms

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