1. substances that can exist in multiple crystal forms with different physical properties but the same chemical composition
Usage: chemistry; mineralogy
2. organisms or biological structures that occur in several distinct forms within the same species
Usage: biology

Examples

• Diamond and graphite are polymorphs of carbon with vastly different properties.
• The mineral quartz has several polymorphs that form under different temperature conditions.
• Scientists studied the polymorphs of this pharmaceutical compound to improve drug delivery.
• The butterfly species exhibits polymorphs with different wing patterns.
• Researchers identified three distinct polymorphs of the protein crystal.
• These polymorphs of the same mineral have different densities and hardness levels.