functional group

noun

: a characteristic reactive unit of a chemical compound especially in organic chemistry

Examples of functional group 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.
Assemble a small cross-functional group spanning data, legal, risk and operations, and give them authority to approve every production use case from seed data through to the decision. — Richard Clough, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 The goal is to create a cross-functional group spanning industries, public and private companies, and sectors. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 July 2026 Lasker works closely with functional groups across ESPN, Disney+ and Hulu, including programming, content acquisition, marketing, ad sales, technology, product, finance, communications, and research and analytics. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 July 2026 The researchers said the reaction remained highly selective even in the presence of other functional groups that often interfere with industrial chemical processes. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for functional group

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of functional group was in 1892

Rhymes for functional group

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Browse Nearby Words

functional genomics
functional group
functional harmony
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Cite this Entry

“Functional group.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/functional%20group. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

functional group

noun
: a characteristic reactive unit of a chemical compound

More from Merriam-Webster on functional group

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about functional group

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