porphyrin UK /ˈpɔːfɪɹɪn/US /ˈpɔɹfəɹɪn/ noun1 •Any of a class of heterocyclic compounds containing pyrrole rings arranged in a square or other similar shape; they are important in biochemistry in a form with a metal atom in the central cavity (hemoglobin with iron, chlorophyll with magnesium, etc.). formsporphyrins