pinene

American  

[pahy-neen] / ˈpaɪ nin /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a liquid terpene, C 1 0 H 1 6 , the principal constituent of oil of turpentine, found in other essential oils: used chiefly in the manufacture of camphor.

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pinene British  

/ ˈpaɪniːn /

noun

1. either of two isomeric terpenes, found in many essential oils and constituting the main part of oil of turpentine. The commonest structural isomer ( α-pinene ) is used in the manufacture of camphor, solvents, plastics, and insecticides. Formula: C 10 H 16

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Etymology

Origin of pinene

First recorded in 1880–85; pine ¹ + -ene

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pinene

To western drywood termites, pinene can signal food.

From Science Daily ● May 9, 2026

"Without pinene, we got about 70% mortality. When we added it in, it was over 95%."

From Science Daily ● Apr. 20, 2026

"Even at low concentrations, pinene is good at attracting termites from a distance," Choe said.

From Science Daily ● May 31, 2024

Using an attractant like pinene eliminates the need to hunt for the termites.

From Science Daily ● May 31, 2024

Some twenty different constituents have been found in American peppermint oil, including menthol, menthone, menthyl acetate, cineol, amyl alcohol, pinene, l-limonene, phellandrene, dimethyl sulphide, menthyl isovalerianate, isovalerianic aldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, and isovalerianic acid.

From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by W. H. Simmons