# molecular

/məˈɫɛkjəɫɝ/ (US) · /məlˈɛkjʊlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/molecular
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. relating to molecules

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

relating to or consisting of molecules, the tiny particles that make up substances.

For teachers: pertaining to or consisting of molecules; used to describe physical or chemical properties at the level of molecular structure.

- Scientists are studying the molecular structure of the new medicine.
- The researchers analysed the molecular bonds within the polymer to determine why the material became brittle under extreme cold.

### 2. molecular biology/genetics

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

relating to the study of living things at the level of their smallest parts, like DNA.

For teachers: relating to the branch of biology that deals with the structure and function of the macromolecules essential to life.

- Molecular biology helps us understand how diseases pass from parents to children.
- Advances in molecular genetics have allowed clinicians to identify specific markers for hereditary conditions with unprecedented precision.

### 3. molecular gastronomy

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

a style of cooking that uses scientific tools and chemistry to change how food looks and feels.

For teachers: relating to a modern style of cooking that investigates the physical and chemical transformations of ingredients during preparation.

- The chef used molecular techniques to turn olive oil into a powder.
- The restaurant gained fame for its molecular gastronomy, serving dishes like transparent ravioli and fruit-flavoured foams that defied traditional expectations.

## Examples

- Scientists study the molecular structure of water.
- The new medicine works by changing the molecular signals that tell cells to grow too fast.
- Advances in molecular biology have allowed researchers to map the genetic code of various species with unprecedented precision, revealing shared evolutionary histories hidden within their DNA.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.