molecular

adjective

mo·​lec·​u·​lar mə-ˈle-kyə-lər 

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 

adverb

Examples of molecular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On modern-day Earth, lightning breaks down molecular nitrogen and oxygen and creates nitrogen oxides. —Paul Sutter, Space.com, 20 May 2025

But in elephants the p53 protein takes on dozens of different molecular shapes, avoiding inactivation by MDM2, and stopping the replication of so many more cancerous cells. —New Atlas, 20 May 2025

Simulating molecular interactions at atomic precision. —Sadhasivam Mohanadas, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

However, such abilities are considered acts of molecular electrochemistry. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 19 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing molecular

• gram molecular weight
• molecular biology
• molecular chaperone
• molecular formula
• molecular genetics
• molecular mass
• molecular orbital
• molecular sieve
• molecular weight

Rhymes for molecular

• trabecular
• bimolecular
• biomolecular
• intermolecular
• intramolecular
• macromolecular
• monomolecular
• supramolecular
• unimolecular
• secular
• specular

Kids Definition

molecular

adjective

mo·​lec·​u·​lar mə-ˈlek-yə-lər 

: of, relating to, or produced by molecules

Medical Definition

molecular

adjective

mo·​lec·​u·​lar mə-ˈlek-yə-lər 

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 

noun

plural molecularities

molecularly

mə-ˈlek-yə-lər-lē 

adverb