A molecule is the smallest amount of a chemical substance which can exist by itself.
...the hydrogen bonds between water molecules.
Synonyms: particle, atom, mite, jot More Synonyms of molecule
molecule in British English
(ˈmɒlɪˌkjuːl)
noun
1.
the simplest unit of a chemical compound that can exist, consisting of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds
2.
a very small particle
Word origin
C18: via French from New Latin mōlēcula, diminutive of Latin mōlēs mass
molecule in American English
(ˈmɑləˌkjul)
noun
1.
the smallest particle of an element or compound that can exist in the free state and still retain the characteristics of the element or compound: the molecules of elements consist of one atom or twoor more similar atoms; those of compounds consist of two or more different atoms
2.
a small particle
Word origin
Fr molécule < ModL molecula, dim. of L moles, a mass: see mole3
Examples of 'molecule' in a sentence
molecule
The planet was bathed in a broth of organic molecules.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Within a molecule atoms occur in fixed proportions.
McCahill, T. A. Biology Basic Facts (1982)
Certain small molecules may pass through pores in the membrane but larger ones are held back.
McCahill, T. A. Biology Basic Facts (1982)
The molecule of hydrogen consists of two hydrogen atoms linked together.
Youngson, Dr. Robert The Antioxidant Health Plan (1994)
It allows our body better access to the calories locked up within complex organic molecules.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
These combinations of atoms are called molecules.
Youngson, Dr. Robert The Antioxidant Health Plan (1994)
Now come down to the scale of molecules and atoms and meet two surprises.
Schneider, Hermann & Schneider, Leo The Harper Dictionary of Science in Everyday Language (1988)
It is the kinetic energy of the atoms and molecules in a body.
Chapman, C. & Horsley, M. & Small, E. Technology Basic Facts (1990)
It involves engineering individual atoms and molecules.
The Sun (2008)
Most organic molecules consist of a kind of basic structure of carbon atoms to which small clusters of other atoms are attached.
Youngson, Dr. Robert The Antioxidant Health Plan (1994)
In the flame of a burning match, trillions of molecules undergo chemical change.
Schneider, Hermann & Schneider, Leo The Harper Dictionary of Science in Everyday Language (1988)
His early work focused on making biological molecules called steroids; compounds that include cholesterol and hormones.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Complex chemical molecules began to clump together to form microscopic blobs - cells.
The Sun (2009)
In a normal hydrogen molecule there are two hydrogen atoms, each consisting of a nucleus and an electron.
Fisher, David E. Fire and Ice - the Greenhouse Effect, Ozone Depletion, and Nuclear Winter (1990)
They are, in the chemical sense, organic molecules.
Oliver Morton Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet (2007)
In other languages
molecule
British English: molecule /ˈmɒlɪˌkjuːl/ NOUN
A molecule is the smallest amount of a chemical substance which can exist.
...water molecules.
American English: molecule
Arabic: جُزَيءٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: molécula
Chinese: 分子
Croatian: molekula
Czech: molekula
Danish: molekyle
Dutch: molecuul
European Spanish: molécula
Finnish: molekyyli
French: molécule
German: Molekül
Greek: μόριο
Italian: molecola
Japanese: 分子
Korean: 분자
Norwegian: molekyl
Polish: cząsteczka
European Portuguese: molécula
Romanian: moleculă
Russian: молекула
Latin American Spanish: molécula
Swedish: molekyl
Thai: โมเลกุล
Turkish: molekül
Ukrainian: молекула
Vietnamese: phân tử
Chinese translation of 'molecule'
molecule
(ˈmɔlɪkjuːl)
n(c)
分子 (fēnzǐ) (个(個), gè)
(noun)
Definition
a very small particle
a molecule of sulfur trioxide
Synonyms
particle
Particles of food can get stuck between the teeth.
atom
one carbon atom attached to four hydrogens
mite
jot
It doesn't affect my judgement one jot.
speck
He leaned forward and brushed a speck of dust off his shoes.
mote
Dust motes swirled in the sunlight.
iota
Our credit standards have not changed one iota.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of atom
Definition
a very small amount
one carbon atom attached to four hydrogens
Synonyms
particle,
bit,
spot,
trace,
scrap,
molecule,
grain,
dot,
fragment,
fraction,
shred,
crumb,
mite,
jot,
speck,
morsel,
mote,
whit,
tittle,
iota,
scintilla (rare)
in the sense of iota
Definition
a very small amount
Our credit standards have not changed one iota.
Synonyms
bit,
particle,
atom,
trace,
hint,
scrap,
grain,
mite,
jot,
speck,
whit,
tittle,
scintilla (rare)
in the sense of jot
Definition
the least bit
It doesn't affect my judgement one jot.
Synonyms
bit,
detail,
ace,
scrap,
grain,
particle,
atom,
fraction,
trifle,
mite,
tad (informal),
speck,
morsel,
whit,
tittle,
iota,
scintilla,
smidgen or smidgin (informal)
Synonyms of 'molecule'
molecule
Explore 'molecule' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of mote
Definition
a tiny speck
Dust motes swirled in the sunlight.
Synonyms
speck,
spot,
grain,
particle,
fragment,
atom,
mite
in the sense of speck
Definition
a small or tiny piece of something
He leaned forward and brushed a speck of dust off his shoes.