especially: having two or more rings in the molecule
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebResearchers 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 And in the mid-infrared, when space itself looks afire because of glowing molecules called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are produced by aging stars, colors again get wonky.New York Times, 12 July 2022 Meat that’s been cooked over an open flame also often contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which form when fat and juices drip down and cause smoke that latches onto the surface of your food. Barbara Brody, Fortune, 16 July 2022 This includes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, formaldehyde, phenols, and heavy metals. Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes, 13 May 2022 However, a growing body of research suggests their replacements, polycyclic musks, may pose many of the same problems.ELLE, 30 Apr. 2022 One is worry about contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in crude oil that have been deemed probable human carcinogens.Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2021 Grilling meat of any kind leads to the formation of two separate families of cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens): the heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 7 Dec. 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
poly- + cyclic entry 1
First Known Use
1869, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing polycyclic
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
Medical Definition
polycyclic
adjective
poly·cy·clic ˌpäl-i-ˈsī-klik -ˈsik-lik
: having more than one cyclic component
especially: having two or more usually fused rings in a molecule