polycyclic

adjective

poly·​cy·​clic ˌpä-lē-ˈsī-klik How to pronounce polycyclic (audio) -ˈsi- How to pronounce polycyclic (audio)
: having more than one cyclic component
especially : having two or more rings in the molecule

Examples of polycyclic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The material contains aromatic hydrocarbons that include nitrogen, a subgroup called polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles. Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 17 June 2014 Scientists found varying degrees and concentrations of toxic pollutants including heavy metals such as nickel and copper; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; arsenic; and explosive compounds. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 27 Oct. 2022 When the collisional shock wave sweeps over that carbon, the atoms rearrange themselves into complicated molecules called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Phil Plait, Scientific American, 25 Oct. 2022 During that time, scientists believe the ship has been polluting the surrounding waters with nickel, copper, arsenic, explosives and chemicals found in fossil fuels known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Oct. 2022 See all Example Sentences for polycyclic 

Word History

Etymology

poly- + cyclic entry 1

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polycyclic was in 1869

Dictionary Entries Near polycyclic

Cite this Entry

“Polycyclic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polycyclic. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

polycyclic

adjective
poly·​cy·​clic ˌpäl-i-ˈsī-klik How to pronounce polycyclic (audio) -ˈsik-lik How to pronounce polycyclic (audio)
: having more than one cyclic component
especially : having two or more usually fused rings in a molecule
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