# dipole

/ˈdaɪˌpoʊɫ/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dipole
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a pair of equal but opposite electric charges or magnetic poles that are very close together. In chemistry, it describes a molecule where one end is slightly positive and the other is slightly negative.

For teachers: a pair of equal and opposite electric charges or magnetic poles separated by a small distance. In chemistry, it refers to a molecule with a permanent separation of charge, resulting in a positive and a negative end.

## Examples

- Water is a common example of a polar dipole.
- The alignment of dipoles in a liquid can be influenced by the presence of an external electric field.
- In molecular biology, the formation of hydrogen bonds between water molecules is facilitated by the dipole-dipole interactions that occur between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms.

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