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.

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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

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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 .

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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

Applying the technique to post-consumer black plastic from food containers and coffee cup lids, the researchers cut the waste into small pieces and found that up to 53% of the polystyrene converted to styrene monomer.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 25, 2024

Grist observed roughly nine train cars marked with a hazard placard for the industrial chemical styrene monomer, an explosive "probable human carcinogen" used to make rubber and other plastics.

From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2023

Overall, styrene and ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic gas, are the top two chemicals released into the air and water in Salinas, officials say.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 29, 2023

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