molecular

adjective

mo·​lec·​u·​lar mə-ˈle-kyə-lər How to pronounce molecular (audio)
Synonyms of molecularnext
1
: of, relating to, consisting of, or produced by molecules
molecular oxygen
2
: of or relating to individual or small components
a molecular view of the American Civil War
molecularly
mə-ˈle-kyə-lər-lē How to pronounce molecular (audio)
adverb

Examples of molecular 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.
Though observed for more than a century, condensates started to be seen as a critical organizational tool for molecular processes across life. — Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026 Researchers manufactured and tested approximately 1,010 molecular variants over 10 weeks. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2026 Cancer can exploit molecular signals that restrain immune responses, allowing malignant cells to escape attack even when identified. — Mike McRae 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026 The deep-space image reveals a 230-light-year-wide swathe of the glowing emission nebula N159, threaded with denser filaments of reddish molecular hydrogen that hide countless energetic young stars. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for molecular

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of molecular was in 1770

Phrases Containing molecular

Rhymes for molecular

See All Rhymes for molecular

Browse Nearby Words

molecula
molecular
molecular beam
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Molecular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molecular. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

molecular

adjective
mo·​lec·​u·​lar mə-ˈlek-yə-lər How to pronounce molecular (audio)
: of, relating to, or produced by molecules

Medical Definition

molecular

adjective
mo·​lec·​u·​lar mə-ˈlek-yə-lər How to pronounce molecular (audio)
1
: of, relating to, consisting of, or produced by molecules
molecular oxygen
2
: relating to or emphasizing individual responses or structures of behavior
proceed by more and more detailed analysis to the molecular facts of perception—G. A. Miller
compare molar entry 3 sense 2
molecularity
-ˌlek-yə-ˈlar-ət-ē How to pronounce molecular (audio)
noun
plural molecularities
molecularly
mə-ˈlek-yə-lər-lē How to pronounce molecular (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on molecular

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for molecular

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Pyrrhic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All