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Definition of molecule
molecule
/ˈmɑː.lə.kjuːl/
mol · e · cule
Adverb:molecularly
•Plural:molecules
•Adjective:molecular
molecule Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
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• noun
1
The smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction, typically consisting of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.
Example
"A single water molecule is composed of two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen atom."
2
A very small piece, fragment, or amount of something.
Example
"The defense attorney argued that there was not a single molecule of evidence connecting her client to the crime."
Synonyms
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Word Origin & Etymology
Derived in the 17th century from the French word 'molécule', which comes from the Modern Latin 'molecula', a diminutive form of the Latin 'moles' meaning 'mass' or 'barrier'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Molecule. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/molecule