oligomer

noun

olig·​o·​mer ə-ˈli-gə-mər 

: a polymer or polymer intermediate containing relatively few structural units

oligomeric

ə-ˌli-gə-ˈmer-ik 

adjective

oligomerization

ə-ˌli-gə-mə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of oligomer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In most gel products, the main component is acrylates; these are monomers or oligomers, which are small molecules or chains of molecules and can come in a thick liquid form. — Holly Burns, Time, 30 Sep. 2025

Gel polish, on the other hand, gets its durability from a lower, weaker concentration of monomers and oligomers, which doesn’t give nails as hard of a coating. — Devon Abelman, Allure, 28 May 2025

Acumen is focused on developing treatments for Alzheimer's disease, leveraging its proprietary approach targeting amyloid-beta oligomers, which are believed to be a key factor in the disease's pathology. — Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2025

Gel polishes are made with a mix of acrylic monomers and oligomers that harden under UV light to create a hard, glossy coat. — Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 Feb. 2023

This is important because oligomers are even more poisonous to brain cells than plaques are. — Gary Stix, Scientific American, 27 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

oligo- + -mer

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

oligomer

noun

oligo·​mer ə-ˈlig-ə-mər 

: a polymer or polymer intermediate containing relatively few structural units

oligomeric

-ˌlig-ə-ˈmer-ik 

adjective

oligomerization

-mə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun