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

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

From Science Daily • Feb. 19, 2026

In both dispersions, the base polymer was a copolymer composed of the inexpensive, commercially available components styrene and butyl acrylate.

From Science Daily • Nov. 13, 2023

Research suggests expanded polystyrene containers can leach styrene into people's food and drinks, and an Ipsos poll released in April found that 71 percent of California voters support policies to limit their use.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 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

The gas that leaked from the factory was styrene, which is used to make plastic and rubber.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 5, 2022