limonene

American

[lim-uh-neen] / ˈlɪm əˌnin /

noun

Chemistry.

a liquid terpene, C 40 H 16 , occurring in two optically different forms, the dextrorotatory form being present in the essential oils of lemon, orange, etc., and the levorotatory form in Douglas fir needle oil.

limonene British

/ ˈlɪməˌniːn /

noun

a liquid optically active terpene with a lemon-like odour, found in lemon, orange, peppermint, and other essential oils and used as a wetting agent and in the manufacture of resins. Formula: C 10 H 16

"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 limonene

1835–45; < New Latin Limon ( um ) lemon + -ene

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.

The limonene changes the algae's surface properties, making it repel water.

From Science Daily • May 12, 2026

One molecule of concern is limonene, a commonly added to cleaners and furniture polish to help remove oil and grease.

From Science Magazine • Feb. 24, 2022

For example, one version of the molecule limonene — the right-handed one — smells like lemon, and its mirror image, which is left-handed, smells like orange.

From New York Times • Oct. 6, 2021

Some research has shown that limonene from citrus has antibacterial and antiviral properties, but it’s not known whether it’s effective specifically against the coronavirus.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 24, 2020

Among its constituents are limonene, linalyl acetate, geraniol and geranyl acetate.

From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by Simmons, W. H.

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