polyene

noun

poly·​ene ˈpä-lē-ˌēn How to pronounce polyene (audio)
: an organic compound containing many double bonds
especially : one having the double bonds in a long aliphatic hydrocarbon chain
polyenic
ˌpä-lē-ˈē-nik How to pronounce polyene (audio)
adjective

Examples of polyene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Only three classes of antifungal drugs are used to treat C. auris infections: triazole, polyene, and echinocandins classes. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 9 Jan. 2020 Some are resistant to all three main classes of antifungal drugs used to treat Candida infections, azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 16 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

poly- + -ene

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polyene was in 1928

Rhymes for polyene

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Browse Nearby Words

polyembryony
polyene
polyenergid
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Cite this Entry

“Polyene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polyene. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

polyene

noun
poly·​ene ˈpäl-ē-ˌēn How to pronounce polyene (audio)
: an organic compound containing many double bonds
especially : one having the double bonds in a long aliphatic hydrocarbon chain
polyenic
ˌpäl-ē-ˈē-nik How to pronounce polyene (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on polyene

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polyene

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