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cross-link
noun
: a crosswise connecting part (such as an atom or group) that connects parallel chains in a complex chemical molecule (such as a polymer)
cross-link
verb
Examples of cross-link in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The best guess Adams could make was that their strands have more cross-links than ours--weak chemical bonds at points where strands are coiled close together.
—Will Hively, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
The key is to knead the mixture (by hand or in a stand mixture fitted with a paddle) until the proteins begin to unravel and cross-link, giving it a tacky texture that turns springy and juicy as the sausage cooks, releasing its flavorful fat to mingle with the sauce and cheese as the pizza bakes.
—J. Kenji López-Alt, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
This made the objects softer, because opening up the bonds reduces the amount of cross-linking in the polymer networks.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cross-link.' 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
1936, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near cross-link
Cite this Entry
“Cross-link.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-link. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
cross-link
nounˈkrȯ-ˌsliŋk
: an atom or group of atoms that is a crosswise connection between two long series of atoms of a molecule
cross-link
verb
Medical Definition
cross-link
noun
: a crosswise connecting part (as an atom or group) that connects parallel chains in a complex chemical molecule (as a protein)
cross-link
verb
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