heterocyclic

[het-er-uh-sahy-klik, -sik-lik]

adjective Chemistry.

of or relating to the branch of chemistry dealing with cyclic compounds in which at least one of the ring members is not a carbon atom (contrasted with homocyclic).
noting such compounds, as ethylene oxide, C2H4O.

Origin of heterocyclic

First recorded in 1895–1900; hetero- + cyclic

Related formshet·er·o·cy·cle

[het-er-uh-sahy-kuh l] /ˈhɛt ər əˌsaɪ kəl/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for heterocyclic

Historical Examples of heterocyclic

Carbocyclic rings will next be treated, benzene and its allies in some detail; and finally the heterocyclic nuclei.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1
Various

British Dictionary definitions for heterocyclic

heterocyclic

adjective

(of an organic compound) containing a closed ring of atoms, at least one of which is not a carbon atomCompare homocyclic

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

heterocyclic in Medicine

heterocyclic

[hĕt′ə-rō-sī′klĭk, -sĭk′lĭk]

adj.

Containing more than one kind of atom joined in a ring.

heterocyclic in Science

heterocyclic

[hĕt′ə-rō-sī′klĭk, -sĭk′lĭk]

Of or relating to a compound containing a closed ring structure made of more than one kind of atom. Pyridine (C5H5N), for example, is a heterocyclic compound, as its ring contains five carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom. Compare homocyclic.