polycyclic
adjective
poly·cy·clic
ˌpä-lē-ˈsī-klik 
-ˈsi-
-ˈsi-
: 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
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
In the samples with the highest concentrations of pollutants, Van Landuyt and her colleagues found microbes known to degrade chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which occur naturally in coal, crude oil and gasoline.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 18 Oct. 2022
That testing found concerning levels of toxic contaminants, including arsenic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, at roughly two dozen of those sites.
—Shane Loeffler, ProPublica, 1 Sep. 2022
Researchers found that remaining Birmingham residents were exposed to so many pollutants — such as cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons — that breathing the air was equivalent to smoking two and a half packs of cigarettes a day.
—Shane Loeffler, ProPublica, 1 Sep. 2022
The only byproduct is oxygen in contrast to carbon monoxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VO VO -1.2%Cs) from other methods.
—Ian Palmer, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022
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
In the samples with the highest concentrations of pollutants, Van Landuyt and her colleagues found microbes known to degrade chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which occur naturally in coal, crude oil and gasoline.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 18 Oct. 2022
That testing found concerning levels of toxic contaminants, including arsenic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, at roughly two dozen of those sites.
—Shane Loeffler, ProPublica, 1 Sep. 2022
Researchers found that remaining Birmingham residents were exposed to so many pollutants — such as cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons — that breathing the air was equivalent to smoking two and a half packs of cigarettes a day.
—Shane Loeffler, ProPublica, 1 Sep. 2022
The only byproduct is oxygen in contrast to carbon monoxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VO VO -1.2%Cs) from other methods.
—Ian Palmer, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polycyclic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near polycyclic
Cite this Entry
“Polycyclic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polycyclic. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
polycyclic
adjective
poly·cy·clic
ˌpäl-i-ˈsī-klik
-ˈsik-lik
-ˈsik-lik
: having more than one cyclic component
especially
: having two or more usually fused rings in a molecule
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share