molecular

[ muh-lek-yuh-ler ]

adjective

1. of or relating to or caused by molecules:

   molecular structure.

molecular

/ mə-; məʊˌlɛkjʊˈlærɪtɪ; məʊˈlɛkjʊlə /

adjective

1. of or relating to molecules

   molecular hydrogen

2. logic (of a sentence, formula, etc) capable of analysis into atomic formulae of the appropriate kind

Derived Forms

• moˈlecularly, adverb
• molecularity, noun

Other Words From

• mo·lecu·lar·ly adverb
• multi·mo·lecu·lar adjective
• nonmo·lecu·lar adjective
• submo·lecu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of molecular¹

First recorded in 1815–25; molecule + -ar ¹

Example Sentences

"This fascinating finding will open the door for many important discoveries. It will be interesting to reveal the molecular mechanism driving reverse development, and what happens to the animal's nerve net during this process."

From Salon

“Those are just the extreme stories. On a daily level, on a molecular level, they’re all struggling to find food, to find water, to find resources that will help their children feel safe.”

From Salon

As the authors of one 2016 paper on convergence at both the molecular and the more observable, morphological level put it, “convergence is caused by either repeated adaptations of different evolutionary lineages to similar environmental challenges or chance.”

From Salon

He emphasized that the convergences we see — so many things that look like crabs, the camera-like eyes that evolved independently in both squids and humans, the emergence of opposable thumbs in giant pandas, chameleons and us — emerge from similarly astonishing, if less obvious, evolution at the molecular level: in the once-hidden world of genes.

From Salon

“Your genetics actually plays a role in this increased risk of developing future heart attacks and stroke,” said James Hilser, a Keck doctoral candidate in biochemistry and molecular medicine who helped write the paper.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• atomic