hydrogen bond

noun

: an electrostatic attraction between a hydrogen atom in one polar molecule (as of water) and a small electronegative atom (as of oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine) in usually another molecule of the same or a different polar substance
hydrogen bonding noun

Examples of hydrogen bond in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Neighboring water molecules interact with one another by way of hydrogen bonds, depicted with dotted lines in this drawing. — Big Think, 27 Oct. 2025 The strands are held together by strong chemical bonds called disulfides, while the individual molecules are held together by much weaker hydrogen bonds. — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025 This pump pulse promoted an electron from a lone pair orbital on the nitrogen atom into an anti-bonding orbital associated with the nitrogen–hydrogen bond. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 Jan. 2026 This led to the discovery of an unexpected molecule that initially defied identification, but was eventually determined to be a simple one called silane, formed when silicon and hydrogen bond. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hydrogen bond

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrogen bond was in 1923

Rhymes for hydrogen bond

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Browse Nearby Words

hydrogen bomb
hydrogen bond
hydrogen bonding
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Cite this Entry

“Hydrogen bond.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrogen%20bond. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

hydrogen bond

noun
: an electrostatic attraction between a hydrogen atom in one polar molecule (as of water) and a small electronegative atom (as of oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine) in usually another molecule of the same or a different polar substance
hydrogen bonding noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hydrogen bond

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hydrogen bond

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