benzene

noun

ben·​zene ˈben-ˌzēn  ben-ˈzēn 

: a colorless volatile flammable toxic liquid aromatic hydrocarbon C₆H₆ used in organic synthesis, as a solvent, and as a motor fuel

benzenoid

ˈben-zə-ˌnȯid 

adjective or noun

Examples of benzene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fire took place days before the Food and Drug Administration released a warning that some Virgin Scent hand sanitizers contained unacceptable levels of benzene, acetal and acetaldehyde, each of which are hazardous and potentially carcinogenic. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Cotton also cited studies by Columbia University and others that say a significant amount of benzene and VOCs still leak from fueling stations despite equipment designed to recapture vapors. —Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026

Levels of benzene spiked, then came down after about a week. —Katharine Gammon, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026

Lingering risks The high benzene levels dissipated after the burning stopped, Zhu found. —Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary benz- + -ene

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing benzene

• benzene hexachloride
• benzene ring

Rhymes for benzene

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

Kids Definition

benzene

noun

ben·​zene ˈben-ˌzēn 

ben-ˈzēn

: a colorless flammable liquid that evaporates easily and is used to make or dissolve other chemicals or as a motor fuel

Medical Definition

benzene

noun

ben·​zene ˈben-ˌzēn  ben-ˈ 

: a colorless volatile flammable toxic liquid aromatic hydrocarbon C₆H₆ used in organic synthesis, as a solvent, and as a motor fuel

called also benzol

benzenoid

ˈben-zə-ˌnȯid 

adjective