limonene

American  

[lim-uh-neen] / ˈlɪm əˌnin /

noun

Chemistry.

1. 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.

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limonene British  

/ ˈlɪməˌniːn /

noun

1. 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

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Etymology

Origin of limonene

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

Example Sentences

For example, there are sensory neurons in our noses that bear receptors uniquely tuned to detect ethyl vanillin, the main odorant in vanilla, and other cells with receptors for limonene, lemon's signature odorant.

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2023

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

With a heavy limonene terpene profile, Super Lemon Haze pairs perfectly with fish, specifically salmon.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 1, 2021

Instead of awkward discussions about children, careers, and politics, conversation revolved around such matters as the likely source of the limonene that one of the instruments had registered at lunchtime.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 1, 2019

The principal constituents of the oil are limonene and citral, together with small quantities of pinene, phellandrene, octyl and nonyl aldehydes, citronellal, geraniol, geranyl acetate, and the stearopten, citraptene.

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