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
The group worked their way through borax, boric acid, salicylic acid, benzoic acid, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, copper sulfate, and saltpeter– among other things.
—
Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 1 May 2025
The researchers attributed this to its high content of benzoic acid derivatives, including 3-(β-d-glucopyranosyloxy)-2-hydroxybenzoic acid, which has strong cellular protective properties.7
4.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 Aug. 2024
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
Once absorbed into the skin, benzoyl peroxide is converted into benzoic acid.
—Angela Palmer, Verywell Health, 28 Jan. 2023
According to the company’s website, Juul pods contain only four ingredients: nicotine, and the additives propylene glycol, glycerine, and benzoic acid, which serve as thickeners and preservatives.
—Chris Roberts, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2021
The health effects of nicotine as a salt with benzoic acid is also relatively unknown.
—Daniel Wolfe, Quartz, 18 Oct. 2019
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Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 1 May 2025
The researchers attributed this to its high content of benzoic acid derivatives, including 3-(β-d-glucopyranosyloxy)-2-hydroxybenzoic acid, which has strong cellular protective properties.7
4.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 Aug. 2024
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
Once absorbed into the skin, benzoyl peroxide is converted into benzoic acid.
—Angela Palmer, Verywell Health, 28 Jan. 2023
According to the company’s website, Juul pods contain only four ingredients: nicotine, and the additives propylene glycol, glycerine, and benzoic acid, which serve as thickeners and preservatives.
—Chris Roberts, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2021
The health effects of nicotine as a salt with benzoic acid is also relatively unknown.
—Daniel Wolfe, Quartz, 18 Oct. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Benzoic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benzoic%20acid. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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