molecule
A molecule is two or more atoms that work together.
When people talk about molecules, they usually do it in a scientific context, like when a student learns about chemistry. You might hear someone say "the water molecule" and think of H2O - those two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom stuck together. But outside of school, the term is not often used unless you're talking about perfume or some other kind of chemical product that's made from lots of different molecules mixed together.
How common is "molecule"?
It appears most frequently in magazine texts and less often in other writings.
noun
The smallest particle of a specific element or compound that retains the chemical properties of that element or compound; two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.
Example: Hydrogen chloride is a diatomic molecule, consisting of a hydrogen atom and a chlorine atom.
Real examples of "molecules" in context
