# molecular

Pronunciation: US say "muh-LEK-yuh-ler" /məˈlɛkjələɹ/; UK say "muh-LEK-yuu-luh" /məˈlɛkjʊlə/

## Adjective

1. Relating to molecules, made up of molecules, or produced by them.
   - Simple: Having to do with molecules, made of them, or caused by them.
   - _Researchers used X-rays to work out the molecular structure of the protein._
   - _A gas spreads to fill its container because of constant molecular motion._
2. Relating to molecular gastronomy, a style of cooking that uses scientific methods and equipment.
   - Simple: Having to do with cooking that uses ideas and tools from science.
   - _The restaurant's molecular dishes include olive oil turned into a fine powder._
   - _He trained in molecular cuisine before opening a simple neighborhood bistro._
3. Of a chemical element, combined only with itself and with no other element; in elemental form.
   - Simple: Of a chemical element, joined only to atoms of the same kind, not to any other element.
   - _Plants release molecular oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis._
   - _At very high temperatures, molecular hydrogen splits into separate hydrogen atoms._

## Noun

4. A compound with a specified molecular weight or range of molecular weights.
   - Simple: A chemical compound whose molecules have a certain weight or fall in a certain weight range.
   - _The resin is a high molecular, so very little of it evaporates during curing._
   - _Light crude oil contains more low moleculars than heavy crude does._

## Other meanings

- (adjective) Relating to a simple or basic structure or organization.

## Origin

Formed from molecule + the adjective-forming suffix -ar.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/molecular (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).