pinene

American  

[pahy-neen] / ˈpaɪ nin /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a liquid terpene, C 1 0 H 1 6 , the principal constituent of oil of turpentine, found in other essential oils: used chiefly in the manufacture of camphor.

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pinene British  

/ ˈpaɪniːn /

noun

1. either of two isomeric terpenes, found in many essential oils and constituting the main part of oil of turpentine. The commonest structural isomer ( α-pinene ) is used in the manufacture of camphor, solvents, plastics, and insecticides. Formula: C 10 H 16

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Etymology

Origin of pinene

First recorded in 1880–85; pine ¹ + -ene

Example Sentences

The application also suggests that pinene could allow wider spacing between drill holes and may reduce the time, labor, and amount of insecticide needed for treatment.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2026

In experiments tied to a study in the Journal of Economic Entomology, the team used pinene, a pleasant-smelling compound released by forest trees, to make the insects move toward treated wood.

From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026

"We saw significant differences in the death rates using insecticide alone versus the insecticide plus pinene," said UCR entomologist Dong-Hwan Choe, who led the discovery.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2024

"Even at low concentrations, pinene is good at attracting termites from a distance," Choe said.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2024

It consists largely of pinene and isomeric terpenes, and has the property of attracting oxygen, with the formation of peroxides which stimulate the drying of oils.

From Paint Technology and Tests by Gardner, Henry A.