polycyclic

American  

[pol-ee-sahy-klik, -sik-lik] / ˌpɒl iˈsaɪ klɪk, -ˈsɪk lɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. pertaining to an organic compound containing several atomic rings, usually fused.

---

polycyclic British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈsaɪklɪk /

adjective

1. (of a molecule or compound) containing or having molecules that contain two or more closed rings of atoms

2. biology having two or more rings or whorls

   polycyclic shells

   a polycyclic stele

---

noun

1. a polycyclic compound

   anthracene is a polycyclic

polycyclic Scientific  

/ pŏl′ĭ-sī′klĭk,-sĭk′lĭk /

1. Having two or more atomic rings in a molecule. Steroids are polycyclic compounds.

---

Etymology

Origin of polycyclic

First recorded in 1865–70; poly- + cyclic

Example Sentences

These included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which indicate the intensity of slash-and-burn fires; leaf waxes, which reflect vegetation and rainfall patterns; and fecal stanols, which help estimate population size.

From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026

Both areas were tested for metals, nutrients, polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are all chemicals that may be found in water runoff based on previous California wildfires, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2025

The process produces hazardous waste and releases carcinogens like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are toxic at very low concentrations.

From Salon • Oct. 25, 2024

Look at the longer wavelength version to examine the sculpted green clouds of gas that contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2023

Material projectiles and torpedoes were launched under full beam control; only to be exploded harmlessly in mid-space, to be rayed into nothingness, or to disappear innocuously against impenetrable polycyclic screens.

From Triplanetary by Smith, E. E. (Edward Elmer)