Skip to the word

Added 10 October 2026

methylene

/ˈmɛθɪliːn/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about methylene at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The divalent group –CH2– in which the free valencies are part of single bonds.
The same group, present as a repeating unit, in aliphatic compounds with names such as hexamethylenediamine.
The unstable carbene :CH2

Origin

French méthylène, from Ancient Greek μέθυ (méthu, “wine”) + ὕλη (húlē, “wood”). By surface analysis, meth- + -ylene.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word