stoichiometry

noun

stoi·​chi·​om·​e·​try ˌstȯi-kē-ˈä-mə-trē How to pronounce stoichiometry (audio)
1
: a branch of chemistry that deals with the application of the laws of definite proportions and of the conservation of mass and energy to chemical activity
2
a
: the quantitative relationship between constituents in a chemical substance
b
: the quantitative relationship between two or more substances especially in processes involving physical or chemical change

Examples of stoichiometry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Now, knowing that a human has about one milligram of cobalt in the body, the successful mad scientist can use the human recipe and stoichiometry to find out how much of each element is needed. Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 16 Sep. 2013 The study relies on stoichiometry, which measures the elemental ratios that appear in the chemistry of cells and ecosystems. Natalie Elliot, Scientific American, 16 July 2021 If the regularity of chemical ratios within cells is a universal property of biological systems, here or anywhere else in the cosmos, then careful stoichiometry could be the key to eventually discovering life on an alien world. Natalie Elliot, Scientific American, 16 July 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stoichiometry.' 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

Greek stoicheion element (from stoichos row) + English -metry; akin to Greek steichein to walk, go — more at stair

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stoichiometry was in 1807

Dictionary Entries Near stoichiometry

Cite this Entry

“Stoichiometry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stoichiometry. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

stoichiometry

noun
stoi·​chi·​om·​e·​try ˌstȯi-kē-ˈäm-ə-trē How to pronounce stoichiometry (audio)
plural stoichiometries
1
: a branch of chemistry that deals with the application of the laws of definite proportions and of the conservation of mass and energy to chemical activity
2
a
: the quantitative relationship between constituents in a chemical substance
b
: the quantitative relationship between two or more substances especially in processes involving physical or chemical change
stoichiometric adjective

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