cystic

American

[sis-tik] / ˈsɪs tɪk /

adjective

pertaining to, of the nature of, or having a cyst or cysts; encysted.
Anatomy. belonging or pertaining to the urinary bladder or gall bladder.

cystic British

/ ˈsɪstɪk /

adjective

of, relating to, or resembling a cyst
having or enclosed within a cyst; encysted
relating to the gall bladder or urinary bladder

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of cystic

First recorded in 1625–35; cyst + -ic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common inherited life-threatening condition in the UK.

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2025

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited, life-threatening disorder that affects multiple organs and is caused by a defective gene that leads to the production of thickened mucus, which clogs airways and the digestive tract.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2025

The finding is described as a 'huge moment' for Cystic Fibrosis by one of the lead researchers.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2024

The Burkholderia cepacia complex is a group of bacteria that can cause lung infections, which can be fatal for those with serious lung diseases, particularly Cystic Fibrosis.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2024

They were all the same—the March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, all for hundreds.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023