diatomic
adjective
di·atom·ic
ˌdī-ə-ˈtä-mik 
: consisting of two atoms : having two atoms in the molecule
Examples of diatomic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, think of a pendulum, which is a mass swinging from a string, or the vibrations of a diatomic molecule (a molecule with two atoms, like nitrogen), or even the change in electric current in something like a circuit inside a radio that makes an oscillation.
—
Rhett Allain, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2023
The comet has a bright green glow around its nucleus, due to the effect of sunlight on its molecules, especially diatomic carbon and cyanogen.
—Robert Lea, Popular Mechanics, 8 Feb. 2023
The comet’s green color is caused by diatomic carbon (C2), but more detail can also be worked out.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2023
Recently, scientists reported evidence of water vapor, adding to the list that includes cyanide, hydroxide, diatomic carbon and atomic oxygen.
—Mara Johnson-Groh, Discover Magazine, 2 Dec. 2019
Pairs of oxygen atoms rapidly combine to form the stable diatomic oxygen, which exits with carbon monoxide.
—Max G. Levy, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rhett Allain, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2023
The comet has a bright green glow around its nucleus, due to the effect of sunlight on its molecules, especially diatomic carbon and cyanogen.
—Robert Lea, Popular Mechanics, 8 Feb. 2023
The comet’s green color is caused by diatomic carbon (C2), but more detail can also be worked out.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2023
Recently, scientists reported evidence of water vapor, adding to the list that includes cyanide, hydroxide, diatomic carbon and atomic oxygen.
—Mara Johnson-Groh, Discover Magazine, 2 Dec. 2019
Pairs of oxygen atoms rapidly combine to form the stable diatomic oxygen, which exits with carbon monoxide.
—Max G. Levy, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2020
Cite this Entry
“Diatomic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diatomic. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diatomic
adjective
di·atom·ic
ˌdī-ə-ˈtäm-ik
: having two atoms in the molecule
Medical Definition
diatomic
adjective
di·atom·ic
ˌdī-ə-ˈtäm-ik
: consisting of two atoms : having two atoms in the molecule
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share