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

The researchers also compared a simple liquid, oligomer styrene, with a related polymer liquid.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

These included flame retardants, phthalates, pesticides, styrene, tetrachloroethane, and organotins.

From Science Daily • Feb. 19, 2026

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

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