Chemical
ligand Audio
li·gand [ lahy-guh nd, lig-uh nd ]
Definitions related to ligands:
  • An ion, molecule or molecular group that binds to a substance to form a larger complex.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Molecule that binds to another molecule, especially a small molecule that binds specifically to a larger molecule.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • A molecule that binds to another molecule, used especially to refer to a small molecule that binds specifically to a larger molecule, e.g., an antigen binding to an antibody, a hormone or neurotransmitter binding to a receptor, or a substrate or allosteric effector binding to an enzyme. Ligands are also molecules that donate or accept a pair of electrons to form a coordinate covalent bond with the central metal atom of a coordination complex. (From Dorland, 27th ed)
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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