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
Air molecules in Earth's atmosphere scatter most of the blue light, causing the remaining light to reflect onto the moon with a red glow, according to NASA.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
Gold nanoclusters, which contain fewer than 100 atoms, are usually created by giving gold ions extra electrons while surrounding molecules called ligands keep them stable.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
Air molecules in Earth's atmosphere scatter most of the blue light, causing the remaining light to reflect onto the moon with a red glow, according to NASA.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
In experiments, by analyzing the spectral features of these vibropolaritons, the new quantum sensor was able to identify an organic molecule known as 4-mercaptobenzonitrile dissolved in an organic solvent.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for molecule
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Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
Gold nanoclusters, which contain fewer than 100 atoms, are usually created by giving gold ions extra electrons while surrounding molecules called ligands keep them stable.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
Air molecules in Earth's atmosphere scatter most of the blue light, causing the remaining light to reflect onto the moon with a red glow, according to NASA.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
In experiments, by analyzing the spectral features of these vibropolaritons, the new quantum sensor was able to identify an organic molecule known as 4-mercaptobenzonitrile dissolved in an organic solvent.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 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 9 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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