naphthalene

[ naf-thuh-leen, nap- ]

/ ˈnæf θəˌlin, ˈnæp- /

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noun Chemistry.

a white, crystalline, water-insoluble hydrocarbon, C10H8, usually obtained from coal tar: used in making dyes, as a moth repellant, etc.

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Also naph·tha·line, naph·tha·lin

[naf-thuh-lin, nap-]. /ˈnæf θə lɪn, ˈnæp-/.

Also called tar camphor .

Origin of naphthalene

First recorded in 1865–70; naphth- + -al³ + -ene

OTHER WORDS FROM naphthalene

naph·thal·ic

[naf-thal-ik, nap-], /næfˈθæl ɪk, næp-/, naph·tha·len·ic

[naf-thuh-len-ik, nap-], /ˌnæf θəˈlɛn ɪk, ˌnæp-/, adjective

Words nearby naphthalene

Naphtali, Naphtalite, naphth-, naphtha, naphthacene, naphthalene, naphthalize, naphthene, naphthol, naphthol yellow S, naphthyl

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use naphthalene in a sentence

Eighteen different facilities emit a variety of cancer-causing pollutants such as benzene, butadiene and naphthalene into the air of Port Arthur and its neighboring towns.
The Dirty Secret of America’s Clean Dishes|by Max Blau and Lylla Younes, photography by Kathleen Flynn, special to ProPublica|December 20, 2021|ProPublica
The undissolved hydrocarbon is similarly purified by fractional distillation, and furnishes the solid crystalline naphthalene.
Coal|Raphael Meldola
Owing to the structure of the naphthalene molecule there are two isomeric naphthols, whereas there is only one phenol.
Coal|Raphael Meldola
Secondary azo-colours derived from these bases and the usual naphthalene derivatives are also manufactured.
Coal|Raphael Meldola

Other colouring-matters of the same group are in use; some of them, like “new blue,” being derivatives of naphthalene.
Coal|Raphael Meldola
In addition to the azo-colours, there are certain other products which claim naphthalene as a raw material.
Coal|Raphael Meldola

British Dictionary definitions for naphthalene

naphthalene

naphthaline naphthalin (ˈnæfθəlɪn, ˈnæp-)

/ (ˈnæfθəˌliːn, ˈnæp-) /

noun

a white crystalline volatile solid with a characteristic penetrating odour: an aromatic hydrocarbon used in mothballs and in the manufacture of dyes, explosives, etc. Formula: C 10 H 8

Derived forms of naphthalene

naphthalic (næfˈθælɪk, næp-), adjective

Word Origin for naphthalene

C19: from naphtha + alcohol + -ene

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

Medical definitions for naphthalene

naphthalene

A toxic carcinogenic hydrocarbon derived from coal tar or petroleum and used as a solvent.

Other words from naphthalene

naph′tha•len′ic (-lĕn′ĭk) adj.

Scientific definitions for naphthalene

naphthalene

[ năf′thə-lēn′ ]

A white crystalline compound made from coal tar or petroleum and used to make dyes, mothballs, explosives, and solvents. Naphthalene consists of two benzene rings fused together. Chemical formula: C10H8.