heterocyclic
adjective
het·ero·cy·clic
ˌhe-tə-rō-ˈsī-klik 
-ˈsi-
-ˈsi-
: relating to, characterized by, or being a ring composed of atoms of more than one kind
heterocyclic
noun
Examples of heterocyclic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cooking meat at high temperatures or in direct contact with a flame or a hot surface can produce carcinogens, including heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
—
Brittany Poulson, People.com, 8 July 2025
Grilling meat of any kind leads to the formation of two separate families of cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens): the heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 7 Dec. 2021
One group, called HAAs (heterocyclic aromatic amines), form during high-temperature reactions between substances in muscle tissue.
—Emily Sohn, chicagotribune.com, 7 June 2017
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Brittany Poulson, People.com, 8 July 2025
Grilling meat of any kind leads to the formation of two separate families of cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens): the heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 7 Dec. 2021
One group, called HAAs (heterocyclic aromatic amines), form during high-temperature reactions between substances in muscle tissue.
—Emily Sohn, chicagotribune.com, 7 June 2017
Cite this Entry
“Heterocyclic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterocyclic. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
heterocyclic
1 of 2 adjective
het·ero·cy·clic
ˌhet-ə-rō-ˈsī-klik
-ˈsik-lik
-ˈsik-lik
: relating to, characterized by, or being a ring composed of atoms of more than one kind
heterocyclic chemical compounds
heterocyclic
2 of 2 nounLove words? Need even more definitions?
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