paraben

American

[par-uh-bin] / ˈpær ə bɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

any of a group of compounds, including methylparaben, that are widely used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals for their antibacterial and antifungal properties and as food preservatives: suspected health risks connected to paraben usage and consumption have prompted consumer interest in paraben-free products.

paraben British

/ ˈpærəˌbɛn /

noun

any ester of parahydroxybenzoic acid, some of which are used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals and have been found in breast cancer tumours

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of paraben

First recorded in 1950–55; para- ¹ + ben(zoic acid)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Assembly Bill 418 would prohibit "the manufacture, sale or distribution of any food product in California containing Red Dye No. 3, Titanium Dioxide, Potassium Bromate, Brominated Vegetable Oil, or Propyl Paraben."

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2023

Your chances of being caught have dramatically increased with the introduction of the Paraben USB stick because your supervisors, IT staff, fellow employees, or even your spouse can now easily discover and document your activities.

From Forbes • Apr. 7, 2011

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023