: a characteristic reactive unit of a chemical compound especially in organic chemistry
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebEvery department must also have digitally savvy talent that should percolate across every functional group of the organization. Rajeev Sharma, Forbes, 7 July 2022 Working on an innovation project may enable employees to establish contacts in an area of the company different from their customary functional group. Edie Goldberg, Forbes, 9 June 2022 Put together a tiger team, a specialized and cross-functional group, with domain expertise in planning along with senior operational leaders. Akhil Oltikar, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2022 Identify a cross-functional group of individuals to assist, and give credit where credit is due — publicly and often. Heidi Davidson, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2021 What exactly are fatty acids? Fatty acids are long strings of hydrocarbons with a carboxylic acid functional group on one end. A.a. Newton, SELF, 28 Aug. 2019
Word History
First Known Use
1892, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
functional group
noun
: a characteristic reactive unit of a chemical compound