Main Entry: ben·zo·py·rene

Pronunciation: \ˌben-zō-ˈpī-ˌrēn, -pī-ˈrēn\

Function: noun

Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary benz- + pyrene a crystalline hydrocarbon C₁₆H₁₀, from pyr- + -ene

Date: 1936

: a yellow crystalline carcinogenic hydrocarbon C₂₀H₁₂ found in coal tar —called also benzo[a]pyrene