styrene

noun

sty·​rene ˈstī-ˌrēn 

: a fragrant liquid unsaturated hydrocarbon C₈H₈ used chiefly in making synthetic rubber, resins, and plastics and in improving drying oils

also : any of various synthetic plastics made from styrene by polymerization or copolymerization

Examples of styrene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ineos owned the styrene that leaked from a railroad car in Cleves and prompted a short-term evacuation of residents and businesses last September. — Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

The Middle East conflict has driven up some of its input costs, specifically high-density polyethylene and styrene. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 May 2026

Most off-the-shelf keyboard cases will be made from either ABS or AES (acrylonitrile ethylene styrene) plastic. — Henri Robbins, Wired News, 9 Dec. 2025

The shelves and interior of the refrigerator and freezer generally consist of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or polypropylene, which are durable polymers. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin styrax

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing styrene

• acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene

Rhymes for styrene

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between
• bromine

Medical Definition

styrene

noun

sty·​rene ˈstī-ˌrēn 

: a fragrant liquid unsaturated hydrocarbon C₈H₈ used chiefly in making synthetic rubber, resins, and plastics and in improving drying oils

also : any of various synthetic plastics made from styrene by polymerization or copolymerization