Molecule: meaning, definitions and examples

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molecule

 

[ ˈmɒlɪkjuːl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

chemistry

A molecule is the smallest unit of a chemical compound that can exist, made up of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. Molecules can be simple, consisting of just a few atoms, or complex, with hundreds or thousands of atoms.

Examples of usage

  • The water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
  • Carbon dioxide is a molecule composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.

Translations

Translations of the word "molecule" in other languages:

🇵🇹 molécula

🇮🇳 अणु

🇩🇪 Molekül

🇮🇩 molekul

🇺🇦 молекула

🇵🇱 cząsteczka

🇯🇵 分子 (ぶんし)

🇫🇷 molécule

🇪🇸 molécula

🇹🇷 molekül

🇰🇷 분자

🇸🇦 جزيء

🇨🇿 molekula

🇸🇰 molekula

🇨🇳 分子 (fēnzǐ)

🇸🇮 molekula

🇮🇸 sameind

🇰🇿 молекула

🇬🇪 მოლეკულა

🇦🇿 molekula

🇲🇽 molécula

Etymology

The word 'molecule' originated from the Latin word 'molecula', which means a small mass. The concept of molecules was first introduced in the early 19th century by the chemist Amedeo Avogadro. Understanding molecules is crucial in the field of chemistry as they are the building blocks of all substances.

See also: molar, mole.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,794, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.