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polybrominated biphenyl

American  
[pol-ee-broh-muh-ney-tid bahy-fen-l, ‐-feen-l] / ˌpɒl iˈbroʊ məˌneɪ tɪd baɪˈfɛn l, ‐ˈfin l /

noun

Chemistry.

  1. PBB.

Etymology

Origin of polybrominated biphenyl

1970–75; poly- + brominated ( def. )

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.

Mr. Milliken faced a disaster in 1973 when a chemical company accidentally shipped fire retardant containing highly toxic polybrominated biphenyl, or PBB, instead of cattle feed to thousands of farmers.

From Washington Post

Milliken faced a disaster in 1973 when a chemical company accidentally shipped fire retardant containing highly toxic polybrominated biphenyl, or PBB, instead of cattle feed to thousands of farmers.

From Washington Times

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.