: having a relatively long chain of atoms and especially carbon atoms in the molecule
long-chain hydrocarbons

Examples of long-chain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Manufacturers then substituted short-chain PFAS, which have fewer carbons in their structure and weren’t thought to be as hazardous as long-chain PFAS, in their products to replace them. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024 His body doesn’t produce an essential enzyme that helps to break down long-chain sugars inside cells. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 15 Dec. 2023 Hydrocarbons are made from carbon and hydrogen and range from methane — the simplest hydrocarbon — to complex, long-chain hydrocarbons that are solids are room temperature. Robert Rapier, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 These long-chain fatty acids are highly beneficial for heart health, brain function, and inflammation regulation. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Oct. 2023 Unlike long-chain fatty acids, smaller ones can travel directly to the liver for processing. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023 With only 2 percent fat, kangaroo meat is packed with long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and as much, if not more, iron than beef. Jessica Wynne Lockhart, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Aug. 2023 Some of these may persist over geologic timescales, as did the long-chain carbon compounds produced by some ancient algae that paleontologists now use as tracers of climate tens of millions of years ago. Jan Zalasiewicz, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'long-chain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of long-chain was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near long-chain

Cite this Entry

“Long-chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long-chain. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

long-chain

adjective
: having a relatively long chain of atoms and especially carbon atoms in the molecule
long-chain hydrocarbons
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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