molecule
noun
mol·e·cule
ˈmä-li-ˌkyül 
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 honesty—
Time
TimeExamples 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
Water molecules in the electrolyte tend to decompose, and zinc deposits unevenly, forming dendrites that can cause short circuits.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
Third, the reading on the ion gauge depends very strongly on the types of atoms or molecules present in the vacuum.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Sep. 2025
According to the National Cancer Institute, biomarkers are molecules found in blood, other body fluids or tissues that indicate the presence of a condition, disease or abnormal process in the body.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 24 Sep. 2025
These techniques include metagenomics, which can identify all the microbial life forms in a hillslope, and metabolomics, which can look at the organic molecules that microbes and plants produce and use in their interactions with each other and their surroundings.
—Chris Impey, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for molecule
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Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
Third, the reading on the ion gauge depends very strongly on the types of atoms or molecules present in the vacuum.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Sep. 2025
According to the National Cancer Institute, biomarkers are molecules found in blood, other body fluids or tissues that indicate the presence of a condition, disease or abnormal process in the body.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 24 Sep. 2025
These techniques include metagenomics, which can identify all the microbial life forms in a hillslope, and metabolomics, which can look at the organic molecules that microbes and plants produce and use in their interactions with each other and their surroundings.
—Chris Impey, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for molecule
Cite this Entry
“Molecule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molecule. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
molecule
noun
mol·e·cule
ˈmäl-i-ˌkyü(ə)l
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
: 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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