lone pair

noun

A pair of electrons in the valence shell of an atom that does not participate in bonding.

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Meanings

nounlone pair (plural lone pairs)

plural lone pairs

  1. chemistryA pair of electrons in the valence shell of an atom that does not participate in bonding.
Cite this entry
APA

lone pair. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lone%20pair

MLA

“lone pair.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lone%20pair. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “lone pair,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lone%20pair.

Source: lone pair on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.