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Definition of methyl

methyl

/ˈmɛθ.əl/
meth · yl
Plural:methyls
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methyl Lexical Profile

methyl Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An alkyl radical containing one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms (CH3), typically found as a functional group in many organic compounds.

Example

"During the biological reaction, a methyl group is transferred to the DNA molecule to regulate gene expression."

• Rhymes for methyl

• Nearby Words

method
methodology
methuselah
methyl
metoprolol
metronome
metropolis

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in French as 'méthyle' in 1834 by chemists Jean-Baptiste Dumas and Eugène Péligot. It was derived from Greek 'methy' (wine) and 'hylē' (wood or matter), originally referring to methylene as 'wood alcohol'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Methyl. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/methyl
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