1. cyclic amides formed by the intramolecular condensation of amino acids, important in organic chemistry and biochemistry
Usage: chemistry; plural form

Examples

• Beta-lactams are a class of antibiotics that include penicillins.
• The researcher studied various lactams in the laboratory.
• Lactams play important roles in pharmaceutical chemistry.
• The synthesis of lactams requires specific reaction conditions.
• Many lactams exhibit biological activity.
• The structure of lactams contains a cyclic amide group.