polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

noun

: any of a class of hydrocarbon molecules that have multiple carbon rings, and that include carcinogenic substances and environmental pollutants
abbreviation PAH

Examples of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Sealants containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels higher than 0.1 percent are banned in the county, the first jurisdiction in Maryland to do so. Washington Post, 30 June 2020 The oil pollution in the fish included levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, known as PAHs. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 20 Apr. 2020 Unrefined petrolatum contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are carcinogens, Stevenson says. NBC News, 20 Feb. 2020 One of the most intriguing hypotheses proposed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as a DIB suspect. Ryan C. Fortenberry, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2020 Or particles might contain metals, sulfur, and chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that can dissolve in seawater and become toxic to marine species. National Geographic, 10 Jan. 2020 Vape juice can contain contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a byproduct of burning coal, oil and gas, the doctors wrote. oregonlive, 3 Oct. 2019 Working for 5 years, Şık and a team of scientists discovered dangerous levels of pesticides, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in multiple food and water samples from several provinces in western Turkey. Kristen McTighe, Science | AAAS, 27 Sep. 2019 Fire from wood, charcoal or gas also emits polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, known as PAHs. Alix Wall, sun-sentinel.com, 10 July 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.' 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

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon was in 1951

Dictionary Entries Near polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

polycyclic

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

polycyesis

Cite this Entry

“Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polycyclic%20aromatic%20hydrocarbon. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

noun
: any of a class of hydrocarbon molecules with multiple carbon rings that include numerous carcinogenic substances and environmental pollutants

called also PAH, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon

More from Merriam-Webster on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!