Phrase guide

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Any of a class of organic compounds composed of multiple aromatic rings, many of which are found in coal and in oil deposits, and are produced by the combustion of organic matter.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: chemistry, natural-sciences, organic-chemistry, physical-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: PAH, polyaromatic hydrocarbon

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 多環芳香烴 /多环芳香烃 — any of a class of organic compounds composed of multiple aromatic rings
  • French: hydrocarbure aromatique polycyclique — any of a class of organic compounds composed of multiple aromatic rings
  • Hungarian: policiklusos aromás szénhidrogén — any of a class of organic compounds composed of multiple aromatic rings
  • Polish: wielopierścieniowy węglowodór aromatyczny — any of a class of organic compounds composed of multiple aromatic rings