noun
monomer
MAH-nuh-mer
Monomer (noun) means a small molecule that can bond with other molecules of its kind to form a polymer. Example: “Ethylene is the monomer used to make polyethylene.”
noun
1
chemistry A small molecule that can bond with other molecules of its kind to form a polymer.
"Ethylene is the monomer used to make polyethylene."
"Each monomer links to the next one as the chain grows."
"The plastic is built from thousands of identical monomers."
Examples of monomer in a sentence →
How to use monomer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne small building block that links with others to make a larger molecule.
When to use it
It is a technical term used mostly in chemistry and biology.
Memory tip
Think of a monomer as a single bead and a polymer as the whole necklace.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
monomer unit
link monomers
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Ethylene is the _____ used to make polyethylene.
Etymology
The word was formed in English from the prefix mono- and the suffix -mer.
Rhymes for monomer
See all rhymes for monomer →Frequently asked questions
What is a monomer?
A monomer is a small molecule that can join with others of its kind to build a larger polymer.
What is the difference between a monomer and a polymer?
A monomer is a single small unit. A polymer is a large molecule made of many monomers bonded together.
What are examples of monomers?
Monosaccharides and amino acids are common examples of monomers.
What is the meaning of monomer?
"monomer" (noun) means a small molecule that can bond with other molecules of its kind to form a polymer.
