benzoic acid

noun

ben·​zo·​ic acid ben-ˈzō-ik- 

: a white crystalline acid C₆H₅COOH found naturally (as in benzoin or in cranberries) or made synthetically and used especially as a preservative of foods, as an antifungal agent in pharmaceuticals, and in organic synthesis

Examples of benzoic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Used on dry hair before shampooing, the rinse-out treatment relies on lactic, tartaric, and benzoic acids to loosen dead skin, unclog follicles, and rebalance the scalp—key steps for managing dandruff and flakiness. — Allure, 18 Dec. 2025

Both jars also showed hints of the compounds coumarin and benzoic acid. — Popular Science, 31 Aug. 2023

This scrub contains benzoic acid, which is known to cause skin irritation for some. — Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2023

The team found that the pure epinephrine samples only returned 87 percent pure—the other 13 percent had turned into poisonous benzoic acid derivatives. — Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from benzoin

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for benzoic acid

• antacid
• placid

Kids Definition

benzoic acid

noun

ben·​zo·​ic acid ben-ˌzō-ik- 

: a white crystalline organic acid that is used especially to increase the life of foods, to make other chemicals, and in medicine

Medical Definition

benzoic acid

noun

ben·​zo·​ic acid ben-ˌzō-ik- 

: a white crystalline acid C₆H₆O₂ found naturally (as in benzoin or in cranberries) or made synthetically and used especially as a preservative of foods, in medicine, and in organic synthesis