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.

---

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

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of benzene

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

benzene

But monitoring for leaks has proved effective in other industries; fence-line emissions of benzene, a carcinogen, fell 30% at petroleum refineries after implementation of a similar monitoring program, according to the EPA.

From Salon ● May 10, 2026

These gadgets could hunt for hazardous compounds like benzene or mold in home interiors, he says, or potential threats to first responders in wildfires or burning buildings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 2026

Volatile organic compounds like benzene, stemming from burnt PVC pipes, have entered drinking water.

From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2026

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 ● Dec. 11, 2025

With no gas stations, owners had to lug five-gallon fuel cans to local drugstores, filling them for 60 cents a gallon and hoping the pharmacist wouldn’t substitute benzene for gasoline.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand