What does molar mean?
A molar is one of the broad, powerful teeth at the rear of the mouth. Its ridged surface helps grind and crush food before it is mixed with saliva and swallowed. The word also has an important scientific use: in chemistry, molar describes a quantity related to a mole, a standard unit for describing the amount of a substance. Thus, molar mass measures the mass of a mole of a substance, while molar concentration describes how many moles of a solute are present in a given volume of solution. Although the dental and scientific senses come from different immediate contexts, both use the same word. Knowing that a molar is a back tooth and that “molar concentration” is a measure of chemical concentration helps distinguish the word’s everyday and technical meanings.
A large tooth at the back of the mouth, adapted for grinding and crushing food.
"The dentist recommended a filling in one of the lower molars."
The plural is molars. The term is standard in dentistry and general anatomy.
Relating to a mole or to the quantity of a substance corresponding to one mole; specifically, describing measurements such as molar mass, molar volume, or molar concentration.
"The sample's molar concentration was calculated from the amount of solute and the final solution volume."
This use is technical and most common in chemistry and related scientific disciplines.
The plural is used for the large back teeth of the mouth.
"Her molars were sensitive to cold drinks."
Your back teeth are natural grinding machines: their broad, ridged surfaces can crush food before the sharper front teeth take over.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does molar come from?
The dental word comes through English from Latin molaris, meaning “of a mill” or “used for grinding,” an adjective derived from molere, “to grind.” The scientific adjective was formed in the 19th century from mole, the chemical unit, which in turn comes from Latin moles, meaning “a great mass” or “bulk.” Thus the word’s meanings ultimately reflect ideas of grinding and quantity rather than a single shared sense.
Related word forms
How molar is actually used
In chemistry, the adjective is typically used with technical terms such as molar mass, molar volume, and molar concentration. The dental sense is common in general and clinical language. In British and American English, the pronunciation differs chiefly in the vowel sound.
Easily confused with molar
A molar is a large grinding tooth, while a mole is a unit of amount in chemistry or a small burrowing mammal, depending on context.