-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
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
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1923, in the meaning defined above
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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hydrogen bond
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share