granule

noun

gran·​ule ˈgran-(ˌ)yül 

1

: a small particle

especially : one of numerous particles forming a larger unit

2

: any of the small short-lived brilliant spots on the sun's photosphere

Synonyms

• atom
• bit
• crumb
• dribble
• fleck
• flyspeck
• grain
• molecule
• morsel
• mote
• nubbin
• nugget
• particle
• patch
• scrap
• scruple
• snip
• snippet
• speck
• tittle

Examples of granule in a Sentence

is there one granule of truth in that statement?

Recent Examples on the Web

The foam, rubber and textile granules are then sold to manufacturers to be made back into items such as shoe parts, yoga mats, or flooring for playgrounds and outdoor sports centers. —Aj Willingham, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024

These are usually granules that are watered into the soil. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2024

When the muscles are relaxed, the pigment sacs shrink to nearly invisible specks and the octopus appears to be white, but when the muscles contract, the sacs expand, spreading pigment granules across a small area of the skin and revealing the color. —Grrlscientist, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

The surface of the sun can reach temperatures of between 8000 and 11,000 degrees Fahrenheit and has a granular texture due to the convection process that forms granules on its surface. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin granulum, diminutive of Latin granum grain

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

granule

noun

gran·​ule ˈgran-yü(ə)l 

1

: a small grain or particle

granules of sugar

2

: a small short-lived bright spot on the sun

Medical Definition

granule

noun

gran·​ule ˈgran-(ˌ)yü(ə)l 

1

a

: a little grain or small particle

especially : one of a number of particles forming a larger unit

b

: a small sugar-coated pill

2

: a clump of actinomycetes in a lesion