benzene

American  

[ben-zeen, ben-zeen] / ˈbɛn zin, bɛnˈzin /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, volatile, flammable, toxic, slightly water-soluble, liquid, aromatic compound, C 6 H 6 , obtained chiefly from coal tar: used in the manufacture of commercial and medicinal chemicals, dyes, and as a solvent for resins, fats, or the like.

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benzene British  

/ ˈbɛnziːn, bɛnˈziːn /

noun

1. a colourless flammable toxic aromatic liquid used in the manufacture of styrene, phenol, etc, as a solvent for fats, resins, etc, and as an insecticide. Formula: C 6 H 6 See also benzene ring

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benzene Scientific  

/ bĕn′zēn′ /

1. A colorless flammable liquid derived from petroleum. Benzene is used to make detergents, insecticides, motor fuels, and many other chemical products. Chemical formula: C ₆ H ₆.

2. See more at benzene ring

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Etymology

Origin of benzene

First recorded in 1825–35; benz(oic acid) + -ene

Example Sentences

Tens of thousands of unproductive and unplugged oil wells have been abandoned across California — many of which continue to leak potentially explosive methane or toxic benzene.

From Los Angeles Times

The most notorious of the group is benzene, a known carcinogen.

From Los Angeles Times

Idle and exhausted wells can continue to emit hazardous air pollutants such as benzene, as well as a methane, a planet-warming greenhouse gas.

From Los Angeles Times

Additional studies from several of the same authors have identified gas stoves as a source of benzene, a known carcinogen linked to leukemia and other blood disorders.

From Science Daily

It could also bring relief to hundreds of thousands of people who live nearby landfills and may be exposed to toxic pollutants like hydrogen sulfide or benzene.

From Los Angeles Times