styrene

American  

[stahy-reen, steer-een] / ˈstaɪ rin, ˈstɪər in /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, water-insoluble liquid, C 8 H 8 , having a penetrating aromatic odor, usually prepared from ethylene and benzene or ethylbenzene, that polymerizes to a clear transparent material and copolymerizes with other materials to form synthetic rubbers.

---

styrene British  

/ ˈstaɪriːn /

noun

1. a colourless oily volatile flammable water-insoluble liquid made from ethylene and benzene. It is an unsaturated compound and readily polymerizes: used in making synthetic plastics and rubbers. Formula: C 6 H 5 CH:CH 2 See also polystyrene

---

styrene Scientific  

/ stī′rēn′ /

1. A colorless, oily aromatic hydrocarbon that readily undergoes polymerization. It is used in making polystyrene, polyesters, synthetic rubber, and other products. Chemical formula: C ₈ H ₈ .

---

Etymology

Origin of styrene

First recorded in 1880–85; from Latin styr- stem of styrax ( see storax ( def. )) + -ene

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

styrene

The analysis identified styrene and butadiene from standard PMA, polyethylene from recycled plastic and fishing net pavements, and isoprene and butadiene rubber from vehicle tires.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 28, 2026

To explore further, the researchers tested another simple liquid, styrene oligomer, with the same viscosity.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 30, 2026

County fire officials identified the chemical as styrene, which is used in making foam products.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 12, 2022

A rail car expelled a chemical substance called styrene, a highly volatile liquid typically used in plastic and rubber, he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2022

Half of them had polyethylene terephthalate, ubiquitous in plastic drinking bottles, and one-third had polymers of styrene which is frequently used in food packaging.

From Salon ● Mar. 26, 2022