Definition of "heterocyclic" [heterocyclic]

• Containing more than one kind of atom joined in a ring. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Cooking meats with charcoal or gas grills can cause the formation of compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)."
• "Burning and charring grilled meat can cause cancer-causing substances called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) to form in foods."
• "The scientists speculated that carcinogens called heterocyclic amines may be involved."