organic chemistry

American  

noun

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

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organic chemistry British  

noun

1. 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 plastics Compare inorganic chemistry

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organic chemistry Scientific  

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

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organic chemistry Cultural  

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

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Etymology

Origin of organic chemistry

First recorded in 1870–75

Compare meaning

How does organic-chemistry compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• organic chemistry vs. inorganic chemistry

Example Sentences

Organic chemistry relies on long established rules that describe how atoms connect, how chemical bonds form, and how molecules take shape.

From Science Daily • Jan. 23, 2026

Organic chemistry teaches people something she thinks is fundamental to medicine — the ability to see how a reaction can have a different outcome if you change the external conditions.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 2022

Organic chemistry, one of science’s most grueling disciplines, is poised to get a whole lot easier.

From Science Magazine • Feb. 8, 2022

Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that studies compounds that contain carbon.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2018

Organic chemistry came again to be a term somewhat loosely applied to the compounds derived from animals or vegetables, or in the formation of which the agency of living things was necessary.

From Heroes of Science Chemists by Muir, M. M. Pattison (Matthew Moncrieff Pattison)