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Definition

noun, plural: monomers

(1) A molecule that may react chemically to another molecule of the same type to form a larger molecule, such as dimer, trimer, tetramer, polymer, etc.

(2) The simplest unit, or the repeating unit, of a polymer.

Supplement

A monomer may combine with another monomer through chemical bonds to form a larger molecule, as in a polymer.

Examples of monomers are amino acids that link together by a peptide bond forming a polypeptide or protein.

Word origin: from Greek mono "one" and meros "part".

Related forms: monomeric (adjective).

Compare: polymer.