A compound containing carbon is referred to as:

A compound containing carbon is referred to as organic mainly due to the definition that classifies organic compounds as those which are primarily made up of carbon atoms, often bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other elements. This categorization is rooted in the study of chemistry, where organic compounds are typically associated with living organisms and biological processes.

These compounds encompass a wide range of substances, including hydrocarbons and their derivatives, which form the basis for many biological molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The distinguishing feature of organic compounds is indeed the presence of carbon, which enables the formation of a vast array of molecular structures due to its ability to form four covalent bonds with other atoms.

In contrast, the other classifications do not encompass all carbon-containing compounds. For example, not all covalent compounds are organic; covalent bonding can occur in numerous inorganic compounds as well. Similarly, metallic compounds primarily consist of metal elements and alloys that do not contain carbon in the same structural context as organic compounds. Inorganic compounds, while they can contain carbon (such as carbonates), do not fall under the organic category in general terms. Therefore, the correct label for a compound that contains carbon is indeed organic.