organic chemistry

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noun

the branch of chemistry, originally limited to substances found only in living organisms, dealing with the compounds of carbon.

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Origin of organic chemistry

First recorded in 1870–75

Words nearby organic chemistry

organelles, organ grinder, organic, organic acid, organically, organic chemistry, organic compounds, organic disease, organicism, organic light-emitting diode, organic molecule

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use organic chemistry in a sentence

Human beings develop relationships through organic chemistry—through trust, risk investment.
Cold War Kids’ Nathan Willett: My Evangelical Struggle|Nathan Willett|September 22, 2021|The Daily Beast
The chemical structures of these molecules will be a bit of mystery if you haven’t taken an organic chemistry class before.
Chemists think they’ve found a way to make opioids less addicting|Purbita Saha|July 17, 2021|Popular-Science
He received a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Colorado at Boulder four years later and was hired the same year to work in 3M’s research laboratory.
Spencer Silver, inventor who made the Post-it Note stick, dies at 80|Emily Langer|May 13, 2021|Washington Post
As observed by Reece Goiffon, pairs of cards connected via reflection were analogous to enantiomers in organic chemistry.
Can You Cut The Perfect Pancake?|Zach Wissner-Gross (riddlercolumn@gmail.com)|April 23, 2021|FiveThirtyEight

All of chemistry—and even the very possibility of organic chemistry—depends on these numbers.
A Wrinkle in Nature Could Lead to Alien Life - Issue 99: Universality|Caleb Scharf|April 21, 2021|Nautilus
Any plans to grow her exercise movement must, she insists, remain “completely organic.”
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I learned some things I can never unlearn about organic decomposition and human bone.
The Real-Life Raiders of the Lost Ark|Alex Belth|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As such, they allow us a peek at the chemistry before the planets and moons evolved into what we know them as today.
Earthlings, We Landed on a Comet|Matthew R. Francis|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They all broke off into clusters, working with a seamless, almost organic precision.
How the NSA Became a Killing Machine|Shane Harris|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Muslims made many discoveries in mathematics, chemistry, physics, medicine, astronomy and psychology.
‘Gods of Suburbia’: Dina Goldstein’s Arresting Photo Series on Religion vs. Consumerism|Dina Goldstein|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Chemistry has taught us that nicotine is only one among many principles which are contained in the plant.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
But in the organic world there is no such thing as the "fit" or the "unfit," in any higher or moral sense.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
It is an important point in diagnosis between functional and organic conditions.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Absence or marked diminution, therefore, indicates organic disease of the stomach.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
When the amount of free hydrochloric acid is normal, organic disease of the stomach probably does not exist.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd

British Dictionary definitions for organic chemistry

organic chemistry

noun

the branch of chemistry concerned with the compounds of carbon: originally confined to compounds produced by living organisms but now extended to include man-made substances based on carbon, such as plasticsCompare inorganic chemistry

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

Scientific definitions for organic chemistry

organic chemistry

The branch of chemistry that deals with carbon and organic compounds, especially hydrocarbons.

Cultural definitions for organic chemistry

organic chemistry

The branch of chemistry dealing with organic molecules (see also organic molecule).