Atom vs. Molecule

Atomnoun

The smallest possible amount of matter which still retains its identity as a chemical element, now known to consist of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.

Atomnoun

(history of science) A hypothetical particle posited by Greek philosophers as an ultimate and indivisible component of matter.

Atomnoun

The smallest, indivisible constituent part or unit of something.

Atomnoun

(historical) The smallest medieval unit of time, equal to fifteen ninety-fourths of a second.

Atomnoun

A mote of dust in a sunbeam.

Atomnoun

A very small amount; a whit.

Atomnoun

An individual number or symbol, as opposed to a list; a scalar value.

Atomnoun

A non-zero member of a Boolean algebra that is not a union of any other elements. Or, a non-zero member of a Boolean lattice that has only zero below it.

Atomnoun

An element of a set that is not itself a set; an urelement.

Atomnoun

(usually capitalised as "Atom") A member of an age group division in hockey for ten- to 11-year-olds.

Atomnoun

An ultimate indivisible particle of matter.

Atomnoun

The smallest particle of matter that can enter into combination; one of the elementary constituents of a molecule.

Atomnoun

Anything extremely small; a particle; a whit.

Atomverb

To reduce to atoms.

Atomnoun

(physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element

Atomnoun

(nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything

Atom

An atom is the smallest unit of ordinary matter that forms a chemical element. Every solid, liquid, gas, and plasma is composed of neutral or ionized atoms.

Moleculenoun

(chemistry) 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.

Moleculenoun

A tiny amount.

Moleculenoun

One of the very small invisible particles of which all ordinary matter is supposed to consist.

Moleculenoun

The smallest part of any substance which possesses the characteristic properties and qualities of that substance, and which can exist alone in a free state.

Moleculenoun

A group of atoms so united and combined by chemical affinity that they form a complete, integrated whole, being the smallest portion of any particular compound that can exist in a free state; as, a molecule of water consists of two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen. Cf. Atom.

Moleculenoun

(physics and chemistry) the simplest structural unit of an element or compound

Moleculenoun

(nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything

Molecule

A molecule is an electrically neutral group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. Molecules are distinguished from ions by their lack of electrical charge.