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

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 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 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 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

Phrases Containing polycyclic

Rhymes for polycyclic

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Browse Nearby Words

polyculture
polycyclic
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
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Cite this Entry

“Polycyclic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polycyclic. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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