heterocyclic

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

/ ˌhɛt ər əˈsaɪ klɪk, -ˈsɪk lɪk /

Save This Word!

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.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON THE 12 TYPES OF VERB TENSES!

Loosen up your grammar muscles because it’s time to test your knowledge on verb tenses!

Question 1 of 6

The verb tenses can be split into which 3 primary categories?

action, linking, and helping

dynamic, static, and auxiliary

past, present, and future

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar Coach

Improve Your Writing

Origin of heterocyclic

First recorded in 1895–1900; hetero- + cyclic

OTHER WORDS FROM heterocyclic

het·er·o·cy·cle

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

Words nearby heterocyclic

heterochrony, heterochthonous, heterocladic anastomosis, heteroclite, heterocrine, heterocyclic, heterocyst, heterocytotropic, heterocytotropic antibody, heterodactyl, heterodactylous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use heterocyclic in a sentence

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

/ (ˌhɛtərəʊˈsaɪklɪk, -ˈsɪk-) /

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

Medical definitions for heterocyclic

heterocyclic

[ hĕt′ə-rō-sī′klĭk, -sĭk′lĭk ]

adj.

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

Scientific definitions for heterocyclic

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.