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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 • Oct. 19, 2019

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 • Oct. 18, 2019

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.