molecular

adjective

mo·​lec·​u·​lar mə-ˈle-kyə-lər How to pronounce molecular (audio)
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 adverb

Examples of molecular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Her career as a molecular biologist led her to study diabetes at institutions such as the University of California in Los Angeles. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 The tools for apoptosis, molecular biologists have found, are curiously widespread. Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024 In comparison, there were 27 new molecular drugs approved in 2000, including mifepristone, and the median approval process took 15.6 months. Olivia Goldhill, STAT, 27 Feb. 2024 His journeys eventually took him to the Salk, whose visiting faculty in 1970 already included Francis Crick, who shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with James Watson for discovering the molecular structure of DNA. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 As such, generative AI will accelerate drug discovery and development by generating novel molecular structures, swiftly screening compounds, predicting drug interactions, repurposing existing drugs for new applications, optimizing clinical trials, and enhancing drug formulations. Bernard Marr, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 The molecular analysis also revealed high levels of antibodies that were associated with wheezing, allergies and breathing problems, Nielsen says. Liz Szabo, Scientific American, 25 Jan. 2024 The allegations were aired in recent months in online comments on a science forum and in a blog post by Sholto David, an independent molecular biologist. Benjamin Mueller, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024 Using photochromic particles that react to UV light, the molecular structure — and therefore outward appearance — of Magic Ink can be altered by specific light wavelengths. Leah Dolan, CNN, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'molecular.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of molecular was in 1770

Dictionary Entries Near molecular

Cite this Entry

“Molecular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molecular. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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 perceptionG. A. Miller
compare molar entry 3 sense 2
molecularity noun
plural molecularities
molecularly adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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