vinyl alcohol

noun

, Chemistry.

1. an unstable liquid compound, C 2 H 4 O, found only in the form of its esters or as the polymer polyvinyl alcohol.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vinyl alcohol¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The team tested the technique on a packaging film that contained polyethylene and PET, as well as a plastic oxygen barrier made of ethylene vinyl alcohol, or EVOH, that keeps food fresh.

From Science News