amide

noun

am·​ide ˈa-ˌmīd How to pronounce amide (audio)
-məd
1
: an inorganic compound derived from ammonia by replacement of an atom of hydrogen with another element (such as a metal)
2
: any of a class of organic compounds derived from ammonia or an amine by replacement of hydrogen with an acyl group compare amine, imide

Examples of amide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The team thinks this is the result of the chemical structure of the protein, in particular the way amide groups bond with water molecules. — The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2021 Soft magnetic hysteresis in a dysprosium amide—alkene complex up to 100 kelvin. — Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025 These materials include chemical groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, and amide) that readily bond with water in the air. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026 After briefly trying different polymer components — amides rather than esters — Carothers turned to other research topics. — Virginia Postrel, Twin Cities, 1 Nov. 2019 Surrounding this custom carbon plate is a thick layer of ultra-light, soft, and responsive PEBA (polyether block amide) foam. — Cory Smith, Outside Online, 18 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Amid, from am- (in Ammoniak ammonia) + -id -ide

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of amide was in 1836

Rhymes for amide

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Browse Nearby Words

amidate
amide
ami de cour
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Cite this Entry

“Amide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amide. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

amide

noun
am·​ide ˈam-ˌīd How to pronounce amide (audio) -əd How to pronounce amide (audio)
: an organic compound derived from ammonia or an amine by replacement of an atom of hydrogen with an acyl group compare imide
amidic
ə-ˈmid-ik, a- How to pronounce amide (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on amide

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about amide

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