hydrogen bond

noun

: an electrostatic attraction between a hydrogen atom in one polar molecule (as of water) and a small electronegative atom (as of oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine) in usually another molecule of the same or a different polar substance
hydrogen bonding noun

Examples of hydrogen bond 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.
Initially, when wafers or dies are pressed together, they are held in place with relatively weak hydrogen bonds, and the concern is ensuring that everything stays in place between the bonding and further steps. IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2024 The hydrogen bonds are more flexible in wet hair and are more susceptible to breakage. Hasina Jeelani, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2024 Those molecules then connect to each other via hydrogen bonds, creating a tessellation of polygons. Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 21 June 2023 Water and salts create a hydrate, a rigid icy lattice supported by hydrogen bonds, in cold temperatures. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 20 Feb. 2023 The hydrogen bonds with the oxygen to create water vapor, which is far easier to remove than atmospheric oxygen. IEEE Spectrum, 31 Oct. 2019 The molecule has to have certain properties, like a number of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2023 Additionally, five mutations in the central helical region, N764K, D796Y, N856K, L981F, and N969K introduce and facilitate additional hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions between the S2 trimers (Figure 4). William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 6 May 2022 But that modest change allows Z to form a triple hydrogen bond with T, which is more stable than the double bond that holds together A-T. Quanta Magazine, 12 July 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrogen bond was in 1923

Dictionary Entries Near hydrogen bond

Cite this Entry

“Hydrogen bond.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrogen%20bond. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

hydrogen bond

noun
: an electrostatic attraction between a hydrogen atom in one polar molecule (as of water) and a small electronegative atom (as of oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine) in usually another molecule of the same or a different polar substance
hydrogen bonding noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hydrogen bond

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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